Predicting When Drake Maye Will Make His First Start for the Patriots
By Ryan Bunton
Most Likely: 2025
After veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett was signed to a one-year deal in March, it seemed like a pretty strong possibility that they planned to use Brissett as a bridge quarterback while their rookie QB sat for a season. Once the Patriots selected Maye, who is regarded as more of a project, this scenario is the runaway favorite.
Quarterbacks who have sat for at least a season since 2000 include: Patrick Mahomes, Carson Palmer, Aaron Rodgers, Philip Rivers, Tony Romo, Kirk Cousins, Drew Brees, and of course, Tom Brady.
Yes, they are some great QBs that have started year 1, but they are also some high-drafted signal callers that unequivocally had their development stunted by being handed the reigns too early.
We have also heard (almost ad nauseam) about the "Packer Way" that Eliot Wolf has brought to Foxborough. Green Bay employed the approach of sitting their first-round QB picks to develop behind the scenes when moving on from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers, and Rodgers to Jordan Love. Rodgers sat for three seasons, while Love sat for two.
Ideally, Patriots fans don’t have to wait to see Maye for more than a season, but patience is a better alternative than risking the future of the franchise by rushing his development.
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