Quarterback Drake Maye has impressed over his first five starts with the New England Patriots. Not only has the team won two out of their last three games, but the rookie has thrown seven touchdowns, ran for one more, and is completing 64.7% of his passes.
On Sunday during the Patriots' 19-3 win against the Chicago Bears, however, he threw an ugly interception. After trying to find tight end Austin Hooper along the sideline, he pump-faked and tried to throw the ball away. The Duke instead found the chest of Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards.
“If nobody is open, the tuba player is in Row 4 Put that ball right in the tuba.” pic.twitter.com/tBm1CEYZj0
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) November 14, 2024
Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt spoke highly of Maye's recent performances for the Patriots on Thursday afternoon, but noted that the turnover is a play that "will haunt him for the rest of the season."
"That was easy as it gets to throw it away over the head of the tight end there and (he) just short-armed it a little bit and got stuck," explained Van Pelt. "We always say if nobody's open, there's one guy that's always open and that's the tuba player in Row 4. I'd like to see him put that ball right in the tuba."
The offensive coordinator was, of course, jokingly referring to the band section seen at many high school and college football games.
Despite Maye's turnovers (five interceptions, one fumble lost), New England's offense has looked far better than with Jacoby Brissett under center. Since handing the reigns over to the rookie, the Patriots are scoring over seven more points per game and averaging over 40 more yards per game since Week 6.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Patriots' Drake Maye Has New Musical Approach to Throwing Ball Away.
