FOXBORO — Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt described developing a rookie quarterback to a marathon, not a sprint, Tuesday before the team’s latest OTAs practice session.

If that’s the case, then rookie Drake Maye, who’s still learning some of the basics of how to be an NFL quarterback, isn’t quite ready to run 26.2 miles just yet. And that’s why he’s currently sitting behind Jacoby Brissett in the Patriots’ quarterback pecking order though he impressed enough to move past Bailey Zappe on Tuesday.

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Van Pelt described all of the different elements that must be mastered by a rookie QB from footwork, to playing in rhythm and mastering terminology.

The offensive coordinator said he’s been impressed with what he’s seen from Maye as he’s taken what he’s learned in meetings and individual drills to 11-on-11s.

“The biggest things we’re working on with him right now, obviously, calling plays from the huddle, which is new to a lot of these college guys, and then just playing in rhythm and in time with your feet, and that’s the biggest strides I’d say he’s made over the last few weeks,” Van Pelt said.

Maye has quickly picked up changes to his footwork that Van Pelt has implemented. The Patriots’ quarterbacks are being coached with a left-foot-forward stance because it’s “always given this offense the best chance to play on time and in rhythm,” according to Van Pelt.

“That’s a big change for a guy to come in and completely change the footwork. He did it right away, and he’s embraced it,” Van Pelt said.

Calling plays from the huddle and learning the full terminology of Van Pelt’s offense seems to still be a work in progress for Maye, but neither the quarterback or his OC seems overly concerned that it will be an issue for the No. 3 overall pick.

“It’s coming. It’s never easy. There are some long calls, play calls that are 12-14 words that you have to spit out with cans and get the cadence out and come up and execute, so there’s a lot to it, and there’s area for growth there,” Van Pelt said. “But that’s not an issue with Drake. He’s a smart guy, he studies when he’s out of the building, and he’ll nail that.”

Maye was asked by the media to name areas where he’s further ahead and more behind than what he might have expected two-plus weeks into OTAs. Maye is happy where he’s at with learning the Patriots’ new offensive playbook.

“Further ahead, just all of the terminology. All of the motions, all of the different formations. I think I’m getting a pretty good gist of it. I’m still a work in progress, getting the new installs in every day. But I feel like I’m a smart kid. Trying to pick that up pretty fast,” Maye said. “And then kind of still working on commanding a huddle, spitting the plays out. It’s easy getting them and knowing what I’m going to do, but telling those guys and being in the huddle and motioning different guys, using my cadence. Just playing quarterback, playing the position. Not as much making throws and stuff. Also, I think footwork is a big thing. We’ve hashed on that. (Quarterbacks coach) TC (McCartney) and those guys and Coach Van Pelt. I think it’s a work in progress, and I feel pretty good about it.”

McCartney saw quick growth from his new quarterback since Maye reported for rookie minicamp in May.

“We’re teaching him a lot of new things, things he didn’t do in college, so there was bound to be a pretty quick improvement from Day 1 until now, but from the footwork to what we’re trying to do with these calls,” McCartney said.

As for head coach Jerod Mayo, he’s hoping to see Maye “have a basic understanding of the fundamentals and the X’s and O’s, build camaraderie and get out of here healthy. That’s the goal for the spring.”