FOXBORO — Patriots quarterback Drake Maye took a positive step forward Wednesday in one of his biggest tests of training camp.
Maye has been facing off against the same defense running the same scheme since the spring, so Wednesday’s joint practice against the Commanders presented a new challenge.
Maye passed it — maybe without flying colors — but Wednesday served as a win for the second-year pro.
“I thought we moved well. It was good playing against another team, having all our guys out there and kind of getting the rhythm, build some plays together, and move the ball,” Maye said. “I thought we did some good things offensively and wish we would have ended it better.”
Maye, who was 14-of-21 with two touchdowns and three dropped passes, threw an interception late in practice while in the red zone against the Commanders. Linebacker Bobby Wagner tipped the ball at the line of scrimmage, and Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil snagged the ball out of the air.
“But hey, that happens, that’s football, and that’s why you practice those,” Maye said. “But overall, I was proud up front. The guys up front, they battled hard. So, I’m looking forward to getting things going as we get into Minnesota and Friday night.”
Maye said he believed he could have looked off Wagner better since the veteran linebacker was reading his eyes. Many times in games, batted passes like those fall harmlessly to the ground. That wasn’t the case on Wednesday in practice.
Despite the interception, Maye came out of Wednesday’s practice with a positive mindset about how his offense competed and how the unit has progressed in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ scheme.
“We definitely think positive,” Maye said. “When you’re moving the ball and feel like you had some good plays, it’s positive. And coming out here, not like you didn’t execute, didn’t move the ball well, so it’s always positive.”
Maye’s favorite targets were wide receivers DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins.
Hollins, a veteran free-agent addition, missed the beginning of training camp on the physically unable to perform list but took a step forward on Wednesday, catching five passes, including two touchdowns.
“Yeah, we’re Tar Heels,” Maye said of his fellow UNC product. “The chemistry’s already there, so it don’t even matter.”
Maye has thrown just three interceptions now this summer with two coming last Friday night in a split-squad Patriots scrimmage. The Patriots will play the Commanders on Friday night in their preseason opener then travel to Minnesota for joint practices with the Vikings. So, Maye has more tests to pass before the 2025 season begins Sept. 7 against the Raiders.
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