Hoyer remembers nice Mahomes story whereas detailing Maye's function as QB2

Hoyer recalls great Mahomes story while detailing Maye’s role as QB2 initially appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Drake Maye won’t be the New England Patriots’ starting quarterback after they open the season towards the Cincinnati Bengals subsequent Sunday. However there are nonetheless methods the rookie can showcase his abilities behind the scenes.

Simply ask longtime NFL quarterback Brian Hoyer, who spent 15 seasons with eight completely different groups (together with the Patriots) whereas serving in each function from starter to backup to third-stringer.

On a brand new episode of the Patriots Discuss Podcast with Tom E. Curran and Phil Perry, Hoyer defined how Maye might get artistic in observe as a “scout crew” quarterback by mimicking the opponent’s QB1 to arrange New England‘s first-string protection for what they could face.

“To me, it was all the time enjoyable as a result of it was like, ‘Who’re we taking part in?,'” Hoyer advised Curran and Perry. “‘OK, this week we’re taking part in the Bengals. Joe Burrow, just about a drop-back quarterback, I am not gonna attempt to do a ton of scrambling. I am gonna see the cardboard, I’ll learn the play, possibly evaluate it to a play that is comparable that we now have and run it that means.’

As Hoyer recalled, nevertheless, some scout-team duties are extra entertaining than others — particularly while you’re tasked with imitating the NFL’s most dynamic quarterback in Kansas City‘s Patrick Mahomes.

“The weeks that I used to be taking part in towards the Chiefs had been all the time probably the most enjoyable as a result of it was like, ‘I can do no matter I need,'” Hoyer stated. “I’ve actually tried behind-the-back passes as a scout crew quarterback with Patrick Mahomes.

“I advised him that final yr. I stated, ‘It is all the time my favourite week,’ and I (advised him), ‘I do know at some point you may try it within the recreation.’ And positive sufficient, he did that this yr within the preseason.”

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So, maybe Maye can channel his internal Aaron Rodgers because the Patriots put together for the New York Jets in Week 3. However greater on Maye’s listing of priorities must be studying New England’s personal offense, because the crew would flip to the gifted rookie if starter Jacoby Brissett struggles or will get injured.

Hoyer famous the Patriots ought to give Maye as many observe reps with their very own offense as doable. However there’s additionally an additional step Maye can take to remain prepared, which Hoyer witnessed first-hand final season as a backup QB for the Raiders.

“I used to be in Las Vegas final yr and Jimmy (Garoppolo) was the starter, I used to be the backup, Aidan O’Connell was the third-string quarterback,” Hoyer stated. “And every single day after observe, (O’Connell) would stroll with no matter rookies and one among our high quality management coaches, and he would undergo each rep of observe on his personal.

“So, possibly that is one thing Drake has to do to remain prepared. And that paid off for Aidan ultimately, as a result of he was in a position to take over and do fairly nicely when his identify was known as.”

O’Connell changed the injured Garoppolo as a spot starter in Week 4 however exceeded expectations to the purpose the place he was named Las Vegas’ full-time starter in Week 9, even after Garoppolo returned from harm. Maye has loftier expectations because the No. 3 choose within the 2024 NFL Draft (O’Connell was a fourth-rounder), but when he needs to make a robust first impression, placing in further observe work is likely to be a sensible transfer.

Try Hoyer’s full dialog with Curran and Hoyer by subscribing to the Patriots Talk Podcast, or watch on YouTube.