Alex Van Pelt explained why Drake Maye will start at QB in Week 6

In recent weeks, Van Pelt hinted that Maye's first start was still a bit of time away.

What Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said of decision to start Drake Maye: The Patriots’ decision to start their rookie quarterback over Jacoby Brissett might have felt overdue. But if you listened to the team’s coaching staff, their decision to start Drake Maye might have come earlier than expected.

Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt had preached in recent weeks that it was still best for Maye to remain on the bench as part of the team’s development plan for him. As Maye has been tabbed to start for the Patriots against the Texans in Sunday’s game, Van Pelt explained why he changed his mind on the matter, acknowledging the team’s subpar results so far this season.

“I think it’s a combination of a couple of things, really,” Van Pelt told reporters when asked what caused him to change his mind. “Offensively, we’re not where we want to be from a production standpoint, especially the passing game. I think that leads to some of that decision. And also the fact, to see his growth and development over those weeks of practice, and what he’s put on the practice field.

“The two of those combined. We’re close — a couple plays away from being 3-2 and feeling a lot better than where we are right now. Reality of it is we’re not; we’re 1-4.”

New England’s offense has mightily struggled to this point in its 1-4 start. The team ranks 31st in the league in both yards (250.8) and points (12.4) per game. Brissett was arguably the biggest reason for that. He entered the week 27th in passing yards (696) and 29th in passer rating (74.2) while throwing for just two touchdowns in five games.

As the Patriots’ offense put up lackluster outings through the first five weeks, Maye was getting an ample amount of reps in practice to prepare for his first NFL start. Maye was receiving 30 percent of the reps in practice in the first five weeks of the season.

Van Pelt saw enough in Maye’s practice reps to think he’s the best option at quarterback to help the Patriots win games moving forward.

“At this point, we have to find something to give us a chance to win on Sunday,” Van Pelt said. “We thought Drake’s development over the past first part of the season on the practice field that he was ready to step in and take over.”

While Patriots coach Jerod Mayo has called Van Pelt the “head coach of the offense” earlier in the season, the offensive coordinator pointed out that it was Mayo’s decision to start Maye and he signed off on it.

“We all sat together and gave all our opinions on what we thought and ultimately, it’s [Mayo’s] decision,” Van Pelt said. “I’m on board with that decision. I’m excited to see Drake play.”

In Maye’s first practice as the starter, Van Pelt said that the rookie completed all six passes he threw during the blitz period. Van Pelt credited Maye for his “understanding” of the game during practice. Now, they hope that his understanding will translate to the field.

“It’s like a sponge, he sits back there and watches everything,” Van Pelt said. “He’s very involved in the meetings. Very vocal in the meetings as well. His knowledge has grown since we’ve had him since the draft. He’s more prepared than he ever has been to handle the challenges that will be presented on Sunday.

“Again, the way he plays on the field — to watch the balls he throws out there, to watch the accuracy down the field, the stuff he’s shown on the practice field gives us a chance to win on Sunday.”

Trivia: What’s the Patriots’ record for the most passing yards thrown by a rookie in their first NFL start?

(Hint: He was also was first-round pick.)

Scores and schedule:

The Bruins picked up their first home win of the season on Thursday, defeating the Canadiens 6-4. They host the Kings on Saturday, with puckdrop at 1 p.m.

Shortly after the Bruins’ game concludes, the Celtics will play their third game of the preseason on Saturday night at TD Garden. They host the 76ers for the first of their two home tilts this preseason.

The New England Revolution play its penultimate match of the regular season on Saturday. It takes on the Colombus Crew on the road, with that match set to start at 7:30 p.m.

Finally, the Patriots host the Texans in Drake Maye’s first NFL start on Sunday. Kickoff for that game is at 1 p.m.

Read more from Boston.com:

• An ode to Boston sports announcers 🎙️
• Have the Bruins already found a winning trio on revamped 4th line?
• What does Rob Gronkowski think of his portrayal in ‘American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez’?
• Tyreek Hill praises Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez: ‘Next up top 3 easily’
• Jacoby Brissett on losing starting job to Drake Maye: ‘I don’t think words can describe how tough it is’

On this day:

Forty-nine years ago, the recently passed Luis Tiant arguably gave the best performance of his Red Sox career. Tiant pitched a complete game shutout to help the Red Sox win Game 1 of the 1975 World Series against the Reds, 6-0. He gave up just five hits with three strikeouts over nine innings.

Tiant’s most memorable play from that game didn’t come on the mound, though. After reaching base on a single in the seventh inning, Tiant put on his pitcher’s jacket and rounded the bases over the next slew of hitters. He finally scored on Carl Yastrzemski’s single, which gave the Red Sox a 1-0 lead.

Boston would go on to lose the series in seven games.

(Trivia answer: Mac Jones; 281 yards vs. Dolphins in Week 1 of 2021 season)