Alex Van Pelt liked what he saw from Drake Maye in the rookie quarterback’s Thursday night cameo. But he still believes the bench is the best spot for Maye at this stage.

Maye replaced starter Jacoby Brissett for the final drive of the Patriots’ 24-3 loss to the New York Jets, going 4-for-8 for 22 yards. He scrambled twice for 12 yards and was sacked twice behind an injury-depleted offensive line.

“I thought it was a great experience for him to get in, especially in a night game in New York,” Van Pelt said 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, and (I’m) encouraged about his future, as well.”

Van Pelt later was asked whether Maye’s development would be better served by playing or watching.

“I still think it’s by watching,” Van Pelt replied. “I think there’s a lot to be learned yet, and that’s where I’ll stand on that. I think Jacoby is our starter, like Coach (Jerod Mayo) said. Until that changes, I think we’ve got to do everything we can to get the starter ready to win a game on Sunday.”

The third overall draft pick, who impressed in the preseason, currently is New England’s QB2 behind Brissett, whom Mayo said will remain the starter until further notice. The steady veteran has taken a beating behind the Patriots’ patchwork O-line, facing pressure on nearly half of his dropbacks through three games and taking nine sacks.

In Maye’s lone series Thursday, the Patriots converted a third down and three fourth downs against a passive Jets defense before stalling in the red zone as time expired.

“(Maye is) another guy who has athleticism,” Mayo said. “He can make all the throws. 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.”

The Patriots will visit the San Francisco 49ers next Sunday.