Alex Van Pelt discussed Drake Maye’s progress, challenge of facing ‘nightmare’ 49ers defender

"The plan's in place, and I think we're certainly seeing him starting to really grow on the practice field."

As the Patriots head into a Week 4 matchup against the 49ers, the inevitable quarterback questions continue to hang in the air like a deflected pass.

To this point, New England has had veteran Jacoby Brissett in the starting role. While that led to success in the surprising Week 1 upset of the Bengals — a game in which Brissett threw for just 121 yards but avoided any turnovers — it has produced less-than-stellar results in the subsequent two games (both Patriots’ losses).

And with 2024 third overall pick Drake Maye waiting on the bench, fans could be forgiven for looking expectantly at the the talented rookie to possibly enter the fray and inject some life into New England’s plodding offense.

In the 24-3 Week 3 loss to the Jets, Maye made his NFL debut late in the game when the result was all but decided. He completed four of eight passes for 22 yards and rushed for an additional 12 yards.

According to offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, Maye is making strides at practice.

“Really good. He’s continuing to grow,” Van Pelt said of the 22-year-old’s development, according to Alex Barth of 98.5 The Sports Hub. “I think the game experience the other night will really help him moving forward.

“The plan’s in place, and I think we’re certainly seeing him starting to really grow on the practice field,” he added.

Exactly what “the plan” entails — particularly the possible timing of a quarterback change — remains to be seen.

If the rookie gets to make his starting debut in 2024, it will be in an offense built around him. He will not be tasked with simply learning an interchangeable system.

“If he’s a run-and-shoot quarterback, he’s going to run the run-and-shoot for us,” said Van Pelt, per Evan Lazar of Patriots.com.

The 49ers present a stern test for New England in all phases of the game. San Francisco, though currently beset by a number of injuries, is the defending NFC champion.

Van Pelt shared a specific reaction when ESPN’s Mike Reiss brought up 49ers pass-rusher Nick Bosa.

“Nightmare,” Van Pelt said of Bosa, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year.

“Great player. Generational player. Speed. Power. All of it,” he explained. “So definitely an issue, and definitely a concern … we have to make sure we don’t let him ruin the game for us, he is that kind of player.”

One simple solution will be for Brissett to simply get rid of the ball quickly and look for easy ways to distribute.

“This is a ‘get the ball out of your hand’ week,” Van Pelt summarized.

The Patriots-49ers matchup will kickoff at 4:05 p.m. on Sunday.