(Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers 17-3 in their first preseason game of the year last night at home.
However, a surprise that came out of it was rookie quarterback Drake Maye only playing one drive.
The No. 3 overall pick completed two passes for 19 yards.
In his postgame presser, head coach Jerod Mayo addressed his decision to give Maye just one series.
“That was always the plan. The plan was to get him in there for one series…You want him in there with the starting offensive line,” Mayo said in front of the New England media.
“That was always the plan”
Jerod Mayo explains why he only played Drake Maye one series in the Patriots’ first preseason game pic.twitter.com/JUJBgRZ9Dr
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) August 9, 2024
It feels as though Mayo wanted to give his young quarterback some experience playing behind the starting offensive line to prepare him for taking over as the starter down the road.
Also, this was his first game action in the NFL, so Mayo most likely wanted to pace him a little bit.
But at the same time, wouldn’t you want to give him multiple drives or even a quarter to give him plenty of experience to look back on?
If he is going to make mistakes, wouldn’t you want him to get them out now in the preseason as opposed to midway through the year?
It was equally as interesting that Mayo decided to play the veteran in Brissett for just one series as well.
Both of these guys, despite their differences in age and experience, haven’t exactly been franchise starters before.
That is why it was odd to see them both just play a single series.
The post Jerod Mayo Reveals Why Drake Maye Played One Series In Preseason Game appeared first on The Cold Wire.