Rookie quarterback Drake Maye will get his first NFL start Sunday for the New England Patriots against the visiting Houston Texans, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.
After moving on from former first-round pick Mac Jones in the offseason, the Patriots selected Maye with the No. 3 overall pick in April’s NFL draft.
He replaces veteran Jacoby Brissett, who has led New England to a 1-4 start to the season.
Brissett, 31, has completed just 79 of his 135 pass attempts (58.5 percent) for 696 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, averaging only 139.2 yards per game.
The Patriots’ offense has mustered just 62 points, second-worst in the NFL.
Maye, 22, played briefly in the Patriots’ 24-3 loss at the New York Jets on Sept. 19. He was 4-of-8 passing for 22 yards and sacked twice for a loss of 13.
Maye, a North Carolina product, was one of six quarterbacks selected in the first round in the 2024 draft. Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears), Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders) and Bo Nix (Denver Broncos) have taken hold of the starting positions with their teams.
J.J. McCarthy (Minnesota Vikings) suffered a season-ending knee injury in August. Michael Penix Jr. (Atlanta Falcons) has yet to appear in a game.
