Patriots make notable change with Drake Maye

Rookie Drake Maye had been working behind both veteran Jacoby Brissett and 2022 draft pick Bailey Zappe through the opening weeks of OTAs, but fans should've realized that the third overall pick would be moved up eventually.

Christopher Price of The Boston Globe said on Tuesday that both Brissett and Maye were impressive during practice.

Patriots executive (and de facto general manager) Eliot Wolf said in late May that the North Carolina product, like "all of (New England's) rookies" had a "long, long way to go" as the team adjusted to first-year offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt's "new scheme." Wolf added that, when the time came to decide on Maye starting over Brissett, it would be a "collaborative approach" between he and first-year head coach Jerod Mayo.

With the rest of the AFC East entering the fall with expectations of at least contending for a playoff spot, sensible Pats fans and media members realize that a return to the postseason will likely have to wait one more year.

In that case, Brissett makes sense as a temporary starter to open the regular season in his second go-around with the franchise. The 31-year-old re-joined New England on a one-year deal in March.

Mayo and company have spoken highly of Maye this spring, but he may still have some kinks to work out.

Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reported on Tuesday that the former Tar Heel tossed two interceptions in what was a "tough day" for the offense.

Still, the 21-year-old is oozing with potential, having both the 2022 ACC Player of the Year award and the conference's Offensive Player of the Year honor as well.

Maye finished his three-year college career with a 64.9 completion percentage for 8,018 passing yards and 63 touchdowns against just 16 interceptions. He could add a rushing element to the team's offense that the Patriots haven't had for years, as he racked up 1,209 yards and 16 scores on the ground across his 30 games.