Patriots' Jacoby Brissett gushes over Drake Maye after stellar practice

New England Patriots veteran Jacoby Brissett offered high praise for rookie Drake Maye after Maye was "the best quarterback on the Gillette Stadium practice fields" during mandatory minicamp on Monday, per Mark Daniels of MassLive.

"Every day he’s getting better," Brissett said about Maye. "The good thing about it is, it’s not like, 'Oh, I got it right now.' He’s just constantly trying to find ways to get better. Making some nice throws out there and you’re seeing his progression come alive."

Maye impressed while serving as New England's QB2 behind Brissett and ahead of 2022 fourth-round draft pick Bailey Zappe. 

According to Daniels, the third overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft completed 12-of-16 passes in full-team work on Monday. To compare, Zappe went 1-of-4 with an interception during 11-on-11 drills.

"He’s doing a good job of – he’s been here for three and a half weeks, a month and he’s made tremendous strides," Brissett added about Maye. "Not only calling the plays, but footwork, throwing the ball, and his overall understanding of the offense."

Much had been made about the fact that New England was "taking it slow with" Maye and had him work as a QB3 during portions of organized team activities. The 21-year-old seemingly has leapfrogged Zappe on the depth chart ahead of training camp amid ongoing discussions regarding whether Brissett or Maye should start New England's regular-season opener at the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 8.

First-year head coach Jerod Mayo raised some eyebrows when he admitted earlier this spring that Maye had "a lot to work on," such as his footwork before he faces a live defense in a meaningful game. 

On Monday, Mayo addressed how Maye is working to improve aspects of his game even when he doesn't have a football in his hand.

"He’s dialed in every rep, even the reps that he’s not in," Mayo said about Maye on Monday, as shared by Sean T. McGuire of NESN.

As of Monday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Maye eighth among the betting favorites at +2200 odds to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award for the upcoming season. 

Tracking such information could become an interesting exercise if Maye continues to take steps in the right direction between the second full week of June and the final game of the preseason.