Patriots elevate Drake Maye to No. 2 QB, but ‘no timetable’ for being a starter (2024)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass — Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye got bumped up to the No. 2 spot behind Jacoby Brissett during Tuesday’s organized team activities.

Prior to the OTA session, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt told reporters Maye would have to earn any type of move up on the quarterback depth chart. So that seemed like a good sign in terms of the No. 3 overall pick’s progression.

That said, did Van Pelt have a timeline in mind, or specific date he hoped Maye would ascend into the starting role?

It’s the million dollar question heading into the 2024 season.Van Pelt answered, but didn’t exactly circle a date on the calendar.

“I think you have to take it, as it comes,” Van Pelt said. “I think it’ll be a combination of a couple of things when those decisions are made, and it’ll be made together as a group with Eliot and Coach Mayo. But there’s no timetable on when that time comes.

“And Jacoby, again, is our starter. He’s played excellent for us in the spring, and Drake is coming on. So until that changes, we’re going to stick with that.”

How strong will Van Pelt’s voice be in deciding when Maye is ready to take the baton from Brissett?

“I don’t think it’ll be stronger than anybody else’s,” Van Pelt answered. “I think it will be equal, I would hope. But I’ve been very impressed with the way the organization has been run since I’ve been here. Very open with communication and very collaborative.”

As far as what Van Pelt has observed from Maye thus far, he said he’s been impressed, and has already seen improvement.

“He’s come out, he’s taken everything from the classroom, everything from our individual periods and he’s applied them to the team drills. He’s been impressive so far,” Van Pelt said. “The biggest things we’re working with him right now, obviously, calling plays from the huddle, which is new to a lot of these college guys, and then just playing in rhythm and in time with your feet. That’s the biggest strides I’d say he’s made the last few weeks.”

COMMANDERS: Washington began the process of replacing kicker Brandon McManus, signing Ramiz Ahmed before the next practice of offseason workouts.

McManus was released Sunday night in the aftermath of two women suing him in civil court alleging he sexually assaulted them while they were working as flight attendants last year on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ trip to London.

COLTS: Coach Shane Steichen said safety Daniel Scott will miss his second straight season with another injury suffered during the team’s offseason workouts.

Scott tore his Achilles tendon in practice last week, Steichen said. Last spring, Scott tore an anterior cruciate ligament in his knee and never made it onto the field.

49ERS: San Francisco rewarded All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey with a contract extension after he won the AP Offensive Player of the Year award in his first full season with the team.

A person familiar with the deal said it’s worth $19 million per year over two years.In 27 games for the Niners, McCaffrey has rushed for 2,205 yards and 20 touchdowns and caught 119 passes for 1,028 yards and 11 scores.

He led the NFL last season with 2,023 yards from scrimmage and was tied for the league lead with 21 touchdowns.

COWBOYS: Dallas receiver CeeDee Lamb is staying away from mandatory minicamp as the All-Pro seeks a new contract, while star pass rusher Micah Parsons is practicing after skipping most of the voluntary offseason work.

JETS:New York edge rusher Haason Reddick has not attended the team’s voluntary workouts since being acquired from Philadelphia in March, but Coach Robert Saleh isn’t concerned despite not communicating with the former Eagles star during the last several weeks.

Saleh reiterated the offseason sessions have been voluntary and he expects Reddick to attend mandatory minicamp next week.

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