As that was the first real game action that Maye’s seen in his career, he’s apparently shown good signs of development behind the scenes, too. Patriots right tackle Michael Onwenu believes that Maye’s decision-making has improved the most out of any area in his game since he arrived in Foxborough in April.

“He can see the field well and he can put the ball where he wants to,” Onwenu told WEEI’s “Jones and Keefe.”

Maye didn’t have the most eye-popping statline in Thursday’s game. He completed just 4 of 8 passes for 22 yards. He also rushed for 12 more, with 11 of them coming on a fourth-down scramble.

But as Maye led the Patriots down the field, Ownenu liked the poise the third-overall pick showed.

“I think he was good in the huddle,” Onwenu said. “I think he also handled himself really well. It was a lot of pressure, a lot of stuff going on around him. He was able to make plays and get the ball out. [Maye] scrambled too, as well.”

In addition to the fourth-down scramble, Maye helped the Patriots convert another fourth-down opportunity with his arm. He connected with wide receiver DeMario Douglas for a 15-yard gain on a fourth-and-10 to move the chains.

Those sorts of plays, along with head coach Jerod Mayo’s non-committal stance in the postgame press conference, seemed to possibly open the door for Maye to start in Week 4. However, that won’t be the case. Mayo told reporters that Brissett will remain the starting quarterback, for now.

Maye’s cameo impressed the coaching staff, though.

“A guy who has athleticism. He can make all the throws,” Mayo said. “Coming off the bench at that time is always tough, no matter what position, but especially at the quarterback position. I thought he did handle himself well, and tried to put a drive together.

“Something to build off of. I thought it was a good opportunity for him to go out there and get some live reps.”

Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt gave a similar assessment.

“I thought it was a great experience for him to get in, especially in a night game in New York,” Van Pelt told reporters Friday. “I thought it was a great start for him. Definitely some things to clean up in his game. But made some throws, made some plays with his legs. I’m encouraged about his future as well.”

Even though there were some good things Maye showed, Van Pelt believes that the best way for him to continue to learn is “by watching” Brissett play. While Ownenu shared which area he’s seen Maye grow the most, Van Pelt revealed which area the rookie needs some growth.

“There was some things there to correct. That’s usually the case the first time you’re out for live bullets,” Van Pelt said. “It can change your feet, and revert back … We’re still a work in progress there. But the strides he’s made over the course of the spring and the summer camp and the games in preseason, obviously he’ll be able to do that [improve] and take it to the next level.

“But there’s some stuff there we can clean up from the game. It was a great learning experience for him, and he’ll get better because of it.”

All in all, Maye’s debut seemed to be a positive for those within the Patriots’ organization, coming on a night where they didn’t really have any other positives. It also came as a bit of a surprise.

“I wasn’t expecting it, but I don’t make those calls,” Onwenu said of Maye playing. “So, I think it was good for him to get that experience and play.”