Patriots players praised rookie quarterback Drake Maye for his game-tying touchdown pass on the last play of regulation against the Titans on Sunday.
Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne called Maye “just phenomenal,” while tight end Hunter Henry referred to him as “special.” However, Maye was not as enthusiastic when discussing his pass to Rhamondre Stevenson.
He scrambled for almost 12 seconds before making the throw while falling, but he stated in his postgame press conference that it “really doesn’t matter” since the Patriots lost in overtime.
The game ended with an interception by Titans safety Amani Hooker on a deep throw from Maye, and the rookie regretted that decision after the game.
“Yeah, first down and I see the safety, and I think throwing into the wind I got to put some more on it and just a dumb decision,” Maye said, according to a team transcript.
“Something you’d like to have back and especially in that situation where we could go at least tie it up. We’re, like I said, on our own 40 and, you know, sometimes the best play is to throw it away and that was a bad decision on my part.”
Maye didn’t achieve the outcome he wanted, but his effort to tie the game and his 95 rushing yards on eight carries gave the Patriots reasons to feel optimistic about the future with him leading their offense.
