Is Drake Maye playing tonight vs Panthers? Exploring Patriots QB’s status for preseason opener

Most teams, including Drake Maye's New England Patriots, will begin their preseason schedule this weekend. Maye and company will face the Carolina Panthers on Thursday. This will be the first opportunity to witness the third overall pick in action this year.

Maye is expected to suit up for the Patriots. They will not, however, start with him under center. He has not yet earned the starter role, so he's going to be on the bench, at least for the first little bit. Jacoby Brissett is going to start.

“Drake will play. Drake will play, and when he gets in the game, we’ll talk about that, but he will play in the game,” Coach Jerod Mayo told Pro Football Network.

Ironically, Maye and the Patriots are facing the hometown team. Maye is from and played college football in North Carolina, and the Panthers are the opponent. However, the game is in Foxboro instead.

Nevertheless, he will play. His QB counterpart on the other sideline, sophomore Bryce Young, will not, though. The Panthers and Patriots will kick off their preseason tonight at 7 pm EST.

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Drake Maye will have to earn playing time

The New England Patriots fully believe in Drake Maye and they envision him eventually being the starter. He isn't yet, though, which means he's in a tough spot. He will have to use backup reps to try and showcase what he can do.

Drake Maye won't start right away (Imagn)

However, in the preseason, this is inconsequential. Brissett and the starters won't play as much, but Maye and his fellow backups will. He may end up with the bulk of the reps, which gives him a chance to show off and develop.

Once the preseason ends, though, he'll be relegated to practice. However, it's not an uphill climb. The Pats believe in him and want to see him start, so someday he will. For now, fans will need to watch his preseason action to see him play in a real game.