Predicting When Drake Maye Will Make His First Start for the Patriots
By Ryan Bunton
Possibility: Following the Bye Week
A good target, once the NFL schedule is released, could be following New England's bye week. A bye week would allow Maye and the coaching staff an additional week to ramp up their rookie quarterback and introduce him into the fold.
They can use the extra week to install a game plan for the specific opponent and make the necessary adjustments to transition from Brissett to Maye under center. This should take a little bit of weight off of the first-rounder as he prepares for his first NFL start.
The only problem with this plan (at this point in time)? The schedule hasn't been released yet. In the long run, this should make little difference, but for the time being, it is impossible to make a concrete prediction. The later in the season that the Patriots bye week falls, the more likelier this scenario plays out.
NFL teams were informed today that the regular-season schedule is expected to be released next Wednesday, May 15th, as @BenFischerSBJ reported. pic.twitter.com/sDON7FFsoL
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 7, 2024
We'll soon know when New England's off week is when the schedule comes out on May 15, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.