Patriots quarterback Behren Morton worked out under the watchful eyes of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels at rookie minicamp.
Patriots quarterback Behren Morton worked out under the watchful eyes of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels at rookie minicamp.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
FOXBOROUGH — Quarterback Behren Morton is a smart guy. That’s why he used the word “opportunity” nine times in his five-minute session with reporters after Saturday’s rookie minicamp workout.
The former Texas Tech signal-caller, who was a seventh-round pick (234th overall) of the Patriots last month, is aware he’s the only quarterback in New England’s camp this weekend. On Saturday, that meant he was at the controls for the duration of the 90-minute workout.
“It’s great,” he said. “A lot of reps, which is really beneficial right now.
“It’s a great opportunity to be here. And I’m just trying to maximize my days here. And so as much information as I can retain, I want to retain as much as I can. Mistakes are going to happen, but it’s about correcting them. It’s been a learning curve, but it’s been really good.”
While Morton loves competition, he knows things will change when full-squad practices commence later this month and Drake Maye and Tommy DeVito step onto the field.
Morton, who was in the same class as Maye coming out of high school, is seven months older than the starter.
Patriots quarterback Behren Morton said all the right things after Saturday's rookie minicamp workout.
Patriots quarterback Behren Morton said all the right things after Saturday's rookie minicamp workout.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
“He’s a phenomenal player,” Morton said of Maye. “To get the opportunity to learn from him, I’m going to take every opportunity I can to maximize what he’s doing and take that in.”
In the meantime, Morton is maximizing every rep that comes his way.
“Take things that you messed up the day before, and not make the same mistake,” he said of his philosophy this spring. “Just learning from my mistakes on Day One. It’s been a really good time.”
With the understanding that rookie minicamp is about getting the basics of professional life down — getting the play off on time, managing the huddle, and connecting with receivers using timing and cadence — Morton appeared comfortable. He didn’t throw an interception, found a variety of targets in the passing game (including rookie free agent wide receiver Kyle Dixon), and managed the offense nicely during 11-on-11 sessions at the end of the workout.
“All the guys have been great,” Morton said. “Us getting together, studying the playbook, asking questions.”
It’s been a long, and occasionally difficult, road to the NFL for Morton, one that’s included shoulder and leg injuries. He said “this is the healthiest” he’s been in a long time.
“My shoulder hasn’t been this good since high school,” he said. “It feels great to just go out there and be healthy and actually focus on football and not how your body’s feeling.”
The son of a Texas high school coach, Morton has already spent extensive time with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Morton said the prime directive at this stage is easy, especially when it comes to meeting with McDaniels.
“Just being a sponge,” he said. “Ask as many questions as I can right now.”
Morton, 6 feet 2 inches and 218 pounds, started 24 games the last two seasons. Operating out of a spread offense, he completed 66 percent of his passes last year, for 2,780 yards and 22 touchdowns with six interceptions.
The move to the Patriots playbook has been helped by McDaniels showing him old film of Tom Brady.
“I’m just trying to maximize my opportunity,” Morton said. “For guys that have played in a lot of Super Bowls, this [system] has been very successful in the league. And so just being a sponge, asking questions. It’s not going to come overnight.”
Morton knows he needs to continue to make the most of his chances this spring, because opportunities likely will be few and far between come summertime.
“Every single day, show up in the facility, put my head down, and go to work,” he said. “I’m behind right now. All the other vets are … they’ve done this for some time. And so, every single day I get in here, I’m just trying to study the playbook, and maximize what I do.”
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The Patriots announced the signing of third-round pick Eli Raridon and seventh-round choice Quintayvious Hutchins.
The 22-year-old Raridon, a tight end out of Notre Dame, was taken 95th overall. The 6-6, 245-pounder played in 40 games with 18 starts during his college career and finished with 48 receptions for 623 yards and three touchdowns.
Hutchins, 23, was selected with the 247th pick out of Boston College. The 6-3, 245-pounder played in 43 games and finished with 72 tackles, 5½ sacks, and 1 interception.
Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at christopherprice.bsky.social.