Patriots Mailbag: What is OC Alex Van Pelt’s Plan as the ‘Lead Guy’ in Drake Maye’s Development?

In Foxborough currently, the pivotal connection revolves around rookie quarterback Drake Maye and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.

Ahead of rookie minicamp practice last Saturday, head coach Jerod Mayo designated the seasoned OC as the primary figure in guiding the development of the third overall pick. During last weekend’s practice, Van Pelt took a hands-on approach with Maye alongside sixth-round draft pick Joe Milton. However, AVP wasn’t alone in this endeavor; QB’s coach T.C. McCartney, senior offensive assistant Ben McAdoo, and assistant coach Evan Rothstein were also present.

Ultimately, Van Pelt assumes the foremost role in mentoring Maye. Nevertheless, it’s a collaborative endeavor, with the Patriots’ coaching staff directing Maye to work from both under center and shotgun, albeit at a reduced speed initially, to instill positive habits. While footwork often varies among established veterans based on personal preference, Van Pelt advocates for a specific approach. Maye notes that Van Pelt is adjusting his stance in the shotgun and under center, emphasizing placing his left foot forward instead of his previous right-foot-forward stance from college.

One of the primary critiques during the draft evaluation was Maye’s inconsistent footwork, which negatively impacted his accuracy. Leveraging his extensive experience, Van Pelt has devised a structured plan to address these issues. However, why the particular emphasis on positioning Maye’s left foot forward in a staggered shotgun stance? It’s worth noting that this approach isn’t universally endorsed, as exemplified by the varying stances of renowned quarterbacks like Mahomes, Brady, Rodgers, and Manning.

Nonetheless, Van Pelt strongly advocates for quarterbacks to place their left foot forward in the shotgun formation. He previously explained his rationale during his tenure in Cleveland, where he encouraged Baker Mayfield to adopt a left-foot-forward stance.

“We’re going to switch [Mayfield] to left foot up and see how he likes that because, to me, that allows a quarterback to play with more rhythm. It’s quarterback junkie talk, but it’s something I believe in,” Van Pelt elucidated in 2020. “There’s more rhythm. It’s not as robotic. It’s more fluid.”

While there’s no one-size-fits-all stance, this preference is justified using examples from Mayfield’s performance with the Browns in 2020. The emphasis is on improving Maye’s timing in his movements to synchronize his footwork with his throws. In theory, Van Pelt’s methodology should rectify Maye’s shortcomings.

The prevalent one-step drop in the quick game from the shotgun offers several advantages with the left foot forward. Firstly, it enhances the rhythm, aligning it with the quick game from under center. Additionally, it aids in aligning the throwing trajectory towards the left side of the field, particularly beneficial for right-handed quarterbacks. This timing also makes it more challenging for defenders to anticipate quick routes. For instance, Mayfield demonstrates this technique by sliding his left foot back, planting his right foot, and executing the throw. Had his right foot been forward, the movement would have been quicker but less fluid.