Drake Maye Sat Out? That’s the Real Story in the Patriots’ Preseason Opener
The most surprising fact from the New England Patriots’ preseason opener isn’t who played the most. It’s who barely played at all.
Drake Maye, the franchise quarterback, didn’t take a single snap against the Indianapolis Colts on August 13. Backup Tommy DeVito threw 43 passes while leading the offense to a 13-13 tie. This massive absence for the star player signals a clear shift in how the coaching staff views the roster battle.
The Snap Count Shockers
According to Pats Pulpit, a staggering 60 different players saw action during the contest at Gillette Stadium. Yet, nearly one-third of the active roster never stepped onto the field. The team is clearly prioritizing evaluation over winning these meaningless games.
While veterans Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte only saw 13 and 16 snaps respectively, second-year receiver Kyle Williams played 26 times. That’s a 36% usage rate for a player who spent most of training camp behind the veterans. Mike Vrabel made his stance known before the game even started. According to him, Kyle is definitely going to assist us. His speed is going to help us. The coach’s words matched the on-field reality. Williams caught a 12-yard touchdown pass and showed the explosive speed that earned him a larger role.
Rookie Eli Raridon also got his chance to shine at tight end. With 39 snaps, he topped his position group and secured an 8-yard reception. The third-round pick even had a 24-yard reception that was wiped out by a penalty.
“He is a big dude, first off, that can run. I mean, that’s pretty cool, and he is smart,” Maye said of the rookie. The young quarterback’s praise highlights the potential Raridon brings to the offense.
The offensive line saw heavy rotation as well. James Hudson III played 82% of the snaps at right guard or left tackle. Andrew Rupcich followed with 58 snaps at left guard. The coaching staff is testing every combination to find the final five linemen.
The Kicker Crisis
Special teams provided the biggest disappointment for the Patriots. Kicker Andy Borregales missed three field goals from 56, 55, and 49 yards. He connected on just two of his five attempts in the tie.
“We expect him to make them,” Vrabel said regarding the misses. “That’s pro football. They’re banging them in from 60 yards. They have two kickers on their roster. Andy knows we have to make those field goals.”
The pressure is now on Borregales to prove he belongs on the 53-man roster. The team has two kickers, which means one of them must make every single shot they get.
Defensive back John Saunders Jr. continued his strong camp performance with an interception. He also recorded two run stuffs while playing alongside Dell Pettus and Mike Brown.
The 13-13 result tells fans nothing about the regular season. The snap counts tell a different story. Williams, Raridon, and Saunders are making their cases loud and clear.
The next game will see more of the same rotation. The clock is ticking down to the final roster cuts. Every snap counts more than the final score.
Pats Pulpit noted that the top options at running back like Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson remained on the sideline. This leaves the door wide open for backups like Lan Larison and rookie Jam Miller to grab attention.
The data is clear. The starters are resting, but the depth players are fighting for their lives. Kyle Williams is no longer just a depth piece. He is a starter waiting to happen.
