Everything We Know About Patriots' QB Plan for Preseason Opener

FOXBORO --- We now have a better idea of who to expect to see at quarterback when the New England Patriots host the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday evening.

After working against the Colts' starting defense throughout Tuesday's joint practice, Drake Maye is not expected to play in the Patriots' preseason opener.

“I wouldn’t anticipate seeing Drake out there on Thursday, but that’s all subject to change," Mike Vrabel said prior to practice on Tuesday. "That’s where my mindset is right now, standing here today. It’s important that we get the work in and get things accomplished that we are looking to get accomplished.

"That can always change, but I wouldn’t anticipate that happening right now.”

Jul 25, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) under center at training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Vrabel also mentioned the importance of the work from joint practices, as each team's starters get to face each other for an extended period of time. In a preseason matchup, the reps would be more limited.

Maye being out on Thursday would open the door for Tommy DeVito and rookie Behren Morton to split time on Thursday. However, DeVito has yet to be told what his workload will be.

"I have no clue," DeVito said when asked about his role against the Colts. "I think about my rookie year, I was told that morning how much I was playing in the game, I'll just prepare like I'm gonna play the whole game and then whenever they tell you whatever you do, that's how it is."

Jul 25, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tommy DeVito (16) throws a pass at training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

What Was New England's QB Plan Last Year?

Maye not playing on Thursday would be a shift from the Patriots' preseason plan a year ago, but would closely resemble Vrabel's preseason tendencies from when he was the head coach of the Tennessee Titans.

Last year, Maye started in the preseason opener against the Commanders and stayed in through two drives. Backup Joshua Dobbs played the next four drives, up until the end of the first half. Undrafted free agent Ben Wooldridge came in after halftime and finished the game.

However, last year's preseason opener was also the first-ever opportunity for Vrabel's coaching staff to work with Maye in a game setting. Now, with a year under their belts working with each other, Maye's expected inactivity on Thursday would follow a trend set by Vrabel in Tennessee.

Starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill did not play in the preseason opener during any of Vrabel's final three years with the Titans -- after the NFL shifted to a three-game preseason slate. As Maye continued to grow in the Patriots' system, Vrabel anticipates him getting that same treatment as Tannehill this Thursday.

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