Lost in last week’s news, Drake Maye took significant step before Patriots’ win

Over the course of a newsworthy week in the NFL, two details slipped through the cracks on the boardwalk to Long Wharf. First, in New England’s 19-3 win at Chicago on Sunday, the Patriots tied a single-game team record with nine sacks – one of which required their own services to help Caleb Williams off the Soldier Field turf. Consider that one reason the Bears opted to make a coaching change on Tuesday.

Second and more importantly, Drake Maye wasn’t the only NFL player speaking openly in a team meeting. In fact, showing significant progress in his development, Maye asked offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt for the floor as the Patriots (3-7) began preparations for their third win. The rookie quarterback, selected two choices after Williams in the 2024 draft, was upset with his team’s lack of attention to detail.

“I just think little things. I think just taking that next step is me being the quarterback in the offensive meeting room,” said Maye, who was 15 of 25 for 184 yards with a touchdown pass and interception against Chicago. “These little things that are adding up and hurting us in practice that are leading to game day.

“Last week, I mentioned we had second and third down in the two-minute drill we ran; we couldn’t pick up 1 yard. Little things like that, just little details and focus. I think sometimes in the practice mode, where you’re just running plays, I really tuned in and tried to execute specific plays and trying to get in a groove of, ‘Hey, we’re just running plays out here for nothing.’ Really try to challenge those guys and challenge myself to take each play and know when a game comes, and this play is called … it matters.”

Another gesture that mattered was Maye thanking each of his offensive linemen in the locker room after the win in Chicago.

Maye and the Patriots, who’ve now won two of their last three, host the Rams (4-5) on Sunday at Gillette Stadium (1 p.m. ET, FOX).

For more information on the Patriots and Rams, visit the New England and L.A. Rams team pages at ProFootballPost.com.