EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — With only a little time remaining on the clock and no chance for the New England Patriots to make a last minute comeback, head coach Jerod Mayo made an interesting decision. 

Instead of sending Jacoby Brissett back out to finish the game, rookie quarterback Drake Maye took the field for his first NFL regular-season action. 

Maye admitted that he was a little nervous, and some of that showed in his first pass attempt. 

He tried to hit tight end Austin Hooper, but the ball was tipped in the air and narrowly intercepted. However, since it wasn't a turnover, the rookie was able to joke about it after the game. 

"First ball got tipped in the air," Maye said with a smile. "Glad it hit the ground."

Drake Maye's first career pass is nearly intercepted pic.twitter.com/bO6xh8qWvq

— Ben Brown ? (@BenBrownPL) September 20, 2024

Maye finished his short time on the field going 4-for-8 for 22 total yards. He also added an additional two carries for 12 yards. 

So how did he think he fared? 

“I can’t take stupid sacks,” Maye told reporters after the game. “We were trying to get the quick game, trying to get the ball out, and I can’t take sacks in that situation. But at the same time, we got some first downs, moved the chains, I made a play with my feet and hit Pop over the middle, so got some good things to look at, at the same time.”

With this being his first time on the field, Mayo gave the young quarterback some words of wisdom after he made the decision. So what did the head coach say?

“Just be smart with the football,” Maye explained. “Don’t do anything stupid and just get out of the game. But at the same time, just enjoy it. Coach Mayo is always about: When it’s your moment, go try to make some plays.”

Because of this move, the head coach also faced some questions about what the team plans to do at quarterback moving forward. Despite saying earlier in the week that he is "100% behind Jacoby," Thursday night had a different tone (once again). 

“I don’t know," Mayo said when asked if he would consider a quarterback change. "We talk about it every single week, you’re competing for a job. So, we’ll get together as a coaching staff and see how it goes,” 

So if he's asked to step in, does Maye feel ready? 

"Yeah, I think, you know, that's kind of what I'm doing, week in, week out" he said. "Being ready when my name is called, when my number is called. Go out there and try to make somes plays. So in the meantime, I've been preparing like I'm the starter and at the same time been there for Jacoby."