The Patriots have signed first round pick Drake Maye. The team announced the signing yesterday afternoon. Maye signed a fully guaranteed four-year, $36.63 million deal that includes a $23.46 million signing bonus according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Getting Maye signed earlier than later is important for several reasons. For one, he can now focus on learning the offense and playing football. Typically most top ten picks get their deals done in the late spring but some have lingered into the summer in recent years. Getting Maye done this early is a bonus. 

The Patriots have an OTA practice scheduled for today. Head coach Jerod Mayo is expected to meet with the media at 11:20 am and a select group of players featuring quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Bailey Zappe are meeting with the media after practice. Maye is not listed as one of the scheduled interviews.

All eyes will once again be on the rookie quarterback today. Those in attendance will be looking to see if Maye has improved from the last time we saw him last week. Prior to that practice, Mayo praised Maye for his hard work last week but also said he has a long way to go.

The expectation is that Maye will compete for the starting job right away so his reps could increase starting today and in the next two weeks ahead of the team’s mandatory mini-camp. 

The Patriots still need to sign wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, offensive tackle Caedan Wallace and guard Layden Robinson. Getting Maye signed was priority number one and the Patriots have accomplished that.