EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The circumstances could have been better, but it was still a special night for Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye on Thursday.

The 2024 third-overall pick made his NFL debut with his parents in the MetLife Stadium crowd and the quarterback he admires most on the opposing sideline.

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Maye waited for Jets starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers to finish up an interview with Amazon so he could shake his hand after the Jets’ 24-3 win over the Patriots.

Drake Maye stood nearby while Aaron Rodgers did his interview with Amazon.

“I’m waiting for the GOAT.” pic.twitter.com/prlVM61VKI

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 20, 2024

“He was my favorite player growing up,” Maye told the Herald. “I had a phone case with Aaron Rodgers on it for like five years of my life. He was doing a press conference, and I was late getting back here, but just wanted to let him know I’m a big fan. Enjoyed watching him tonight even though it was against us. Still, always a fan at heart, first.”

Maye, 22, is the youngest quarterback on a 53-man roster this season, while Rodgers, 40, is the oldest. Maye hasn’t even turned 3 years old when Rodgers was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft.

It was a quick message from the Jets’ starter in Maye’s meeting with Rodgers, who impressed the Patriots by going 27-of-35 for 281 yards with two touchdowns while scrambling three times for 18 yards.

“He said best of luck, stay healthy and just hang in there,” Maye said. “Just more just wanted to watch him. It was pretty cool tonight.”

After Maye met with the media, he planned to visit his parents before traveling back to Foxboro. The rookie went 4-of-8 for 22 yards with two sacks and carried the ball twice for 12 yards.