With one second left on the clock in the final day of New England Patriots minicamp, former Washington Huskies wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk ran a fade route and made a leaping catch to pull in a touchdown catch from fellow rookie, quarterback Drake Maye.
The two have established a very strong connection, similar to what Polk had with Michael Penix Jr. during their two years together in Seattle.
“The drive before, Drake goes, ‘be ready,’ ” Polk told the media after practice, “So, going in the next drive, I had a fade. We had an option to go a fade or another route, so I heard it in my head, and I heard him in my head, ‘I’m throwing that fade.’ So, in my head, I’m like, ‘Go make a play.’ He trusts us, he trusts the guys around him, so go do what we do and go make a play.”
By all accounts, Polk had a great day of practice while working with both Maye and veteran Jacoby Brissett. He has some stiff competition as he pushes to make his way into the starting lineup before his first NFL campaign and has made an impression on Jerod Mayo’s coaching staff while working against someone he knows very well, 2023 first-round pick and former Oregon Ducks cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
Ja'Lynn Polk with 2 big-boy TD catches in tight red zone 7-on-7s, including 1 versus Christian Gonzalez.
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) June 10, 2024
Even though the season is still three months away, Polk, who is always one of the most mentally prepared players on the field, also discussed his mindset for being relied on to make big plays in clutch moments, even at practice.
“It was one second left, end of the game, I’m putting myself in those situations just like it’s going to be in the season,” Polk said. “And putting myself in those shoes and making a play for my team. All of the receivers in there, making plays, and when the team is going out there on that last drive and counting on you, I want everybody to put that chip on my shoulder to go out there and make that play.”