Drake Maye Pleased With Patriots Aggressive Play-Calling Shift

Drake Maye stood at the podium after the New England Patriots dropped a disastrous contest to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15. He affirmed his multi-dimensional abilities as a quarterback, headlined by his confidence in making plays with his legs.

Sunday marked a change in pace for the Patriots as offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt trusted Maye to carry the ball himself on designed plays, headlined by a fourth-down zone read for 13 years in the fourth quarter to keep a touchdown drive alive.

Maye racked up 261 yards and two touchdowns through the air along with 30 yards on the ground on six rush attempts.

“Yeah, the one on the goal line, I should have cut it up,” Maye told reporters, per team-provided video. “Shoot, I thought it was slick out there. Couldn’t really feel my feet. I think the others had a chance for us to pick up a first down. Got a big one at the end there around the edge. Other than that, I think there’s a time for it. At the same time, me making plays, I’ll scramble enough and make some plays.”

The Patriots rookie clearly wants the chance to use his big frame to move the ball, and New England finally backed off from an approach that, while understandably protecting the young quarterback, limited his physical impact on the game.

“I’m a big, 6-(foot)-5 dude that can pick up a yard or beat somebody with some speed,” Maye added. “I think people underestimate me a little bit. I think it helps us offensively to move the chains. At this point, we need some help in short yardage or some different areas in the red zone for me to go make a play.”

The Patriots get another crack at the Bills in the season finale, though they have a more immediate task at hand when they host the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17.