Drake Maye, Sam Howell will reunite at Vikings-Patriots joint practices this week

When Drake Maye had his breakout game as a redshirt freshman at North Carolina — accounting for five touchdowns in a close road win over Appalachian State in September 2022 — his best friend Sam Howell was there.

After a 12-yard touchdown run to start the second half, Maye immediately found Howell just outside the end zone. Howell, then a rookie with the Washington Commanders, was waiting. They celebrated with a dap and chest bump — a small, shared celebration between the two UNC quarterbacks who had spent the previous year in the same meeting rooms, weight rooms and practices.

“He’s my best friend,” Howell said of Maye at Vikings training camp last week. “He means a lot to me. We’re going through a lot of the same things, and he’s just a great friend. We challenge each other to make each other better in the offseason. ... He’s like a brother.”

The friends will reunite this week during joint practices between the Vikings and New England Patriots on Wednesday and Thursday at TCO Performance Center in Eagan. While much of the buzz will center on Maye’s head-to-head matchup with fellow 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, the more compelling storyline might be the quarterback on the other sideline who helped shape Maye.

“He’s the guy,” Maye said of Howell in a 2024 interview with Kay Adams, days after being drafted by the Patriots. “I’m looking forward to maybe seeing him along the road and hopefully, maybe, playing against each other one day.”

On his second drive in Saturday’s preseason game against the Houston Texans, Howell plunged in from a yard out for Minnesota’s first touchdown — capping a 14-play, 94-yard march that lasted over seven minutes. He was accurate, on time and in rhythm — staples of Kevin O’Connell’s system — while mixing arm strength with touch on deeper throws in an impressive showing. It was the kind of composed, sustained drive Maye often saw in 2021, when he spent his true freshman season in Chapel Hill backing up Howell.

Their roles may have flipped, but the communication between the two has barely changed.

“Me and Drake talk every single day,” Howell said. “I’m just so proud of him, the way he’s done in his career so far. ... It’ll be fun to share the field for a couple days.”

No golf this week for the duo — “Once training camp starts, we put the clubs down,” Howell said — though their competitiveness often spills onto the links. Golf is one of many offseason activities they share; Howell was even a groomsman at Maye’s wedding this summer.

“He means a lot to me,” Howell said. “We’re going through a lot of the same things ... whether we’re working out, no matter what we’re doing, we’re always trying to make each other better.”

This week’s joint sessions will provide key evaluations of both first teams — likely more significant than Saturday’s preseason game at noon at U.S. Bank Stadium.

If Patriots coach Mike Vrabel is any indication — he emerged with blood on his face after a scuffle last week at a Patriots-Commanders joint practice — fans should expect a hard-hitting, no-holds-barred atmosphere. With several former Vikings on the Patriots roster, including receiver Stefon Diggs and center Garrett Bradbury, there’s also added familiarity.

Vikings receiver depth: With Jordan Addison’s three-game suspension, Rondale Moore sidelined by a season-ending knee injury suffered Saturday and Justin Jefferson still recovering from a hamstring strain, the options for McCarthy are looking thin. Key receivers to watch this week include Jalen Nailor, Lucky Jackson and T.J. Hockenson.

Surprise standout Zavier Scott: The Vikings running back has emerged as a player to watch. Scott impressed in Saturday’s preseason game with 47 yards and four first downs on six touches. This week gives Scott another opportunity to solidify a roster spot.

Donovan Jackson vs. Patriots defensive tackles: Like McCarthy, the rookie left guard logged just 12 snaps Saturday. Jackson, who’s still adjusting to the pros, will be tested by New England’s Milton Williams and Christian Barmore.

Dallas Turner vs. Will Campbell: Turner, a 2024 first-round pick, had a quiet game against the Texans despite steady offseason improvement. This week, he’ll get a chance to impress against Patriots offensive lineman Will Campbell, selected fourth in this year’s draft.