The New England Patriots are officially taking the next step in their rebuild as head coach Jerod Mayo announced that rookie quarterback Drake Maye will make his first NFL start in Week 6 against the Houston Texans.
Maye began the 2024 season riding the bench behind Jacoby Brissett, but he will now get a chance to prove he was worth being selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The 22-year-old played sparingly during the preseason and appeared briefly late in a Week 3 loss to the New York Jets, showing flashes of what made him such an intriguing prospect.
The Patriots’ passing game has been subpar so far this season, but Maye’s start could add some extra motivation for the team.
Fortunately for New England, it sounds like wide receiver Kendrick Bourne will be available to help out Maye.
“Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne plans to play Sunday vs the Texans. Bourne (knee) is listed as questionable for Drake Maye’s first career start,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz wrote on X.
Bourne missed the first four games as he continued to recover from the ACL tear he suffered last season, and he made his season debut in the Week 5 loss to the Miami Dolphins and came away from the game unscathed.
The veteran played sparingly in his return, logging just 16 snaps, and though he might be limited again against Houston, he should see more action.
He has been a reliable target in the passing game throughout his career and could make an impact in Maye’s starting debut.
