The Drake Maye era in New England got off to an earlier start than many had anticipated.
With the game against the Jets well out of reach, Maye made his NFL debut on Thursday night with just over four minutes left in what would end in a 24-3 win for the Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Maye was selected No. 3 overall in this year’s draft, with the idea out of training camp being that the Duke product would develop under starter Jacoby Brissett.
After Brissett was held to just 94 passing yards and sacked five times, the Pats thought to give Maye a chance to get under center, though it was an unceremonious moment for the rookie.
Maye’s first throw of his NFL career was nearly picked off and he saw four of his eight attempts fall as incomplete passes.
Maye was sacked twice for a loss of 13 yards.
Maye did manage to move the Patriots down the field 46 yards and finished the series with 22 passing yards.
He added another 12 yards on the ground and finished with a 56.2 passer rating.
His first completed pass came on a throw to running back Antonio Gibson.
Maye’s NFL debut came with a chance to face a future Hall of Famer in Aaron Rodgers, who was playing in his first game at MetLife Stadium as a Jet since he suffered a season-ending injury in the season opener last year.
Maye apparently waited nearby while Rodgers did a postgame interview with Prime Video to be able to shake his hand, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
“I’m waiting for the GOAT,” Maye said according to the NFL insider.
The Patriots are slated to face the 49ers next week.