Tennessee

Drake Mayes’ girlfriend ‘so excited’ about rookie’s first NFL start

Eira Gwyneth October 11, 2024

It’s an exciting time for Drake Maye and co.

After backing up Jacoby Brissett through the first five games of the season, the New England Patriots decided to use the rookie as their starting quarterback on Sunday.

New England selected Maye out of North Carolina with the third overall pick of the draft after receiving offers to move up from several teams.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) plays against the Washington Commanders during the first half of a preseason game on August 25, 2024, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

The decision came earlier this week and Maye’s friend couldn’t contain her excitement.

Ann Michael Hudson posted on her Instagram story that Maye got the contract.

“YAY!!!!! So excited,” she wrote via the New York Post with a smile and a heart emoji.

“We try to win every game. At the time, we thought Jacoby would give us the best opportunity to go out and win games,” Pats coach Jerod Mayo said Wednesday, a day after the decision was first announced. “Drake gives us the best chance to win now and in the future. He has evolved. He’s getting better every week.”

“You dream about starting in the NFL for the first time,” Maye said. “It’s an opportunity to go out against a good football team and prove people wrong.”

North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye poses for portraits after being selected third overall in the first round by the New England Patriots at the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25, 2024 in Detroit. (Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

GEORGE KITTLES 2 TOUCHDOWNS HANDLE SEAHAWKS 3RD CONSECUTIVE LOSS; 49ERS COME BACK TO .500

Brissett was named the starter in training camp and given the Pats’ difficult schedule, it made sense to continue developing Maye.

New England upset them Cincinnati Bengals on the road in Week 1, but the Pats have lost four straight since then.

Brissett has completed just 58.5% of his passes with two touchdowns, and the Pats are widely considered possibly the worst team in the NFL alongside the Carolina Panthers.

In his two seasons at North Carolina, Maye threw for 7,929 yards with a 64.9% completion rate. He threw 62 touchdowns and 16 interceptions while scoring 16 more points. He was first-team All-ACC in 2022 and second-team last season. Last season he rushed for 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns.