New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye learned a valuable lesson about quarterback life in the NFL: Look where you throw.
Matthew Judon intercepted Drake Maye on Friday
Before training camp, there were questions about whether Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon would hold out this summer. He decided to be a good teammate and practice with the team during training camp. He vented his anger about his contract situation with the Patriots by picking off Maye during practice on Friday and taking the ball to the house.
Matthew Judon pick 6 on Drake Maye
😬
Better pay that man
pic.twitter.com/MTxMev38L2
— Savage (@SavageSports_) July 26, 2024
Maye had his ups and downs during OTAs this spring. The No. 3 pick in April’s draft credited the Patriots’ elite defense with being a challenge while learning how to play quarterback in the league.
However, some of Maye’s mistakes have less to do with the Patriots’ defense and more to do with Maye’s inexperience. Following Friday’s practice, Maye talked to reporters about the pick 6.
Drake Maye wasn’t looking
May 11, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) works out at the New England Patriots rookie camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Per a transcription of Maye’s comments by Phil Perry of NBC Sports, Maye said he planned to go deep but chose to throw to his checkdown option. He threw the ball to his checkdown without looking:
“Just a rookie mistake, no pun intended,” Maye said. “Had a deep shot and was going to throw to the flat late, and in this league, they’re going to cover the running backs, so you’ve gotta make sure you look before you throw it.”
In baseball, seeing what you hit is always a good idea. In the NFL, quarterbacks need to look where they throw.
The New England Patriots rookie is trying to bounce back 
May 11, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) works out at the New England Patriots rookie camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Maye said he took the interception hard but is learning to bounce back after making a poor throw:
“You can’t ride the ups and downs,” he said. “Every play is a new play. I just can’t be too hard on myself. Sometimes, I get hard on myself, especially like I said, throwing my first interception, but yeah, just kind of bounce back. It’s how you bounce back in this league. And I’m trying to learn that.”
Maye will throw more interceptions in training camp, but the key for him is to get back in the huddle and throw touchdowns on the next drive.
