Patriots QB Drake Maye Agrees to Terms on Rookie Contract

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has signed his rookie NFL contract with the six-time Super Bowl champs. The Pats’ third overall pick signed with the organization on Tuesday, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

Drake Maye received a four-year deal with the New England Patriots for $36.6 million

Maye received a four-year deal with New England for $36.6 million — all fully guaranteed — with a $23.4 million signing bonus. His contract carries a $6.6 million cap hit for his rookie season. The deal also includes a fifth-year team option for the 2028 season.

Maye threw for 8,018 yards with 63 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in his collegiate career at North Carolina.

In 2022, the 6-foot-4, 225-pound quarterback won ACC Player of the Year, ACC Offensive Player of the Year, and ACC Rookie of the Year. He was named second-team All-ACC in the 2023 season after passing for 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns while rushing for 449 yards and nine touchdowns.

The #Patriots have agreed to terms with QB Drake Maye on his rookie deal, source says. The No. 3 overall pick is under contract. pic.twitter.com/PloNSBoVUQ

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) May 28, 2024

Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett is expected to begin the 2024 season as New England’s starter. Patriots VP of player personnel Eliot Wolf was a guest on the Up and Adams Show with Kaye Adams on Tuesday.

Wolf reiterated that Brissett is the team’s starting quarterback heading into the season.

“Drake Maye, let’s be honest, we’ve had him for three weeks now and there is a long way to go for all of our rookies and all of our players as we adapt to this new scheme that [offensive coordinator] Alex Van Pelt is implementing offensively. We’ll have those conversations as they arise,” said Wolf. “I’m sure it will be a collaborative approach as it has been so far with, really, all the big decisions we’ve made.

“All four of the quarterbacks on the roster are working hard and ready to go” added Wolf.

Pats have drafted four quarterbacks since Tom Brady’s departure

The Patriots have now agreed to terms with five of their eight 2024 draftees.

In March, New England traded its 2021 first-round quarterback, Mac Jones, to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2024 sixth-round pick. Jacksonville declined the fifth-year option on Jones’ contract, allowing him to become a free agent next summer.

The Patriots have drafted four quarterbacks since Tom Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020: Jones, Bailey Zappe, Maye, and Joe Milton III.

New England is beginning a new chapter without both Brady and eight-time Super Bowl champion head coach Bill Belichick. The Patriots are not expected to make the playoffs next season.

ESPN’s Mike Clay has the Patriots’ win total projection set at 4.9 wins, New England’s lowest season win total since 1991 (O/U 4, finished 6-10).

The Patriots had four wins last season (O/U 7.5), its fewest in a season since 1992 (finished 2-14).