If you were looking at the quarterback situation in New England without watching any of the games, it's easy to understand why people believe Drake Maye should be starting. But there's always more on the game tape than the box score.
The No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has been QB2 for the Patriots to start his NFL career, sitting behind veteran Jacoby Brissett. The Patriots pulled out a win in Week 1, but it's been downhill since.
Head coach Jerod Mayo's squad has dropped decisions to the Seahawks and the Jets entering Week 4, and Brissett has not been impressive. He has managed just 368 passing yards through three weeks and owns a single passing touchdown.
It made sense to start the 31-year-old over the first-year pro to start the season; however, Patriots fans are anxiously beating the drum for Maye to see more action, as Brissett continued his struggles into Week 4.
Former New England tight end Rob Gronkowski doesn't feel the same way.
— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) September 29, 2024
Here's why Gronkowski does not want Maye starting over Brissett for the Patriots.
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Why Rob Gronkowski does not want Drake Maye starting for Patriots
Gronkowski is advocating against Maye getting starts due to the poor play of the Patriots offensive line. During the halftime show on Fox, the former tight end pointed out how much opposing defenses have gotten to Brissett, and he does not want the same thing to happen to Maye.
Rob Gronkowski on the FOX halftime show:
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) September 29, 2024
"Patriots fans, I know what you're saying. 'Put Drake Maye in, this offense needs a spark.' But I'm telling you, it will be the same old story with Drake Maye in, if he replaces Jacoby Brissett. He'll be getting sacked. The offensive…
Rob Gronkowski believes it's still too early to replace Jacoby Brissett with Drake Maye pic.twitter.com/kRSBQ4kbgh
— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) September 29, 2024
"Patriots fans, I know what you're saying. 'Put Drake Maye in, this offense needs a spark,'" Gronkowski said during his halftime report on Fox. "But I'm telling you, it will be the same old story with Drake Maye in, if he replaces Jacoby Brissett. He'll be getting sacked.
"The offensive line will be letting guys go through, putting pressure on him. You don't want to ruin his confidence. Wait until at least Week 12."
It's easy to see why. The unit owns the ninth-most sacks allowed (9), tied for the fourth-most knockdowns (14), and has 10 hurry-ups. Simply put, the defenses are getting their hands on the quarterback, and it would quite literally be putting Maye right into the middle of a fire if he were to see action behind that offensive line.
Brissett has taken a ton of damage in the early goings of the season. That's why Maye went in during Week 3's "Thursday Night Football" loss to the Jets. Brissett was banged up multiple times in the game, forcing Mayo's hand.
Maye will certainly see action again during the 2024 season, but as Gronkowski pointed out, the start of his time in New England does not need to be rushed. With the Patriots still rebuilding, the last thing the organization needs is its star quarterback getting hurt.
Patriots QB depth chart
| Rank | QB |
| No. 1 | Jacoby Brissett |
| No. 2 | Drake Maye |
| No. 3 | Joe Milton III |
No. 1 Jacoby Brissett
Brissett was named the starting quarterback in the preseason. The decision was largely based on Mayo's belief that the veteran option gave the Patriots their "best chance to win right now." Until Mayo says otherwise, he's still QB1.
Brissett played for the Florida Gators for two years before transferring to NC State. New England drafted him in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. At that point, he backed up both Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo. Brissett was only with the Patriots for a season before being traded to the Colts in September 2017. He has bounced around between the Dolphins, Browns, and Commanders before returning to New England.
Through the early goings of the season, it has been far from smooth sledding for Brissett and Co., as the offensive line has been a major issue in New England.
No. 2. Drake Maye
When Maye got to North Carolina, he was backing up Sam Howell. After sitting for a season, he became the starter in 2022. Maye played two seasons for the Tar Heels but helped them not lose a step after Howell went to the NFL. He never won an ACC championship, but Maye has an impressive arm and a solid ceiling, given the right development.
He received limited playing time during Week's 3 "Thursday Night Football" loss to the Jets, but Maye has yet to start in the NFL.
No. 3 Joe Milton III
The Patriots didn't leave the 2024 NFL Draft with just one quarterback. After drafting Maye in the first round, New England selected Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III in the sixth round. He is closer to a dual-threat quarterback, while Maye is the prototypical pocket passer. Milton III benefitted from the extra years provided by the COVID-19 pandemic. He spent three years with Michigan and then three more at Tennessee.
