After starting the season 1-4, New England Patriots Head coach Jerod Mayo has decided to bench QB Jacoby Brissett and start the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Drake Maye. Brissett struggled this season, totaling 696 yards, two touchdown passes, and one interception. This was inevitable, and the question was when Mayo and the Patriots’ front office would make the change. Maye will make his first NFL start against the Houston Texans this Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Maye, the former North Carolina Tarheel, is the quarterback of the future for New England. Last year, during his third and final season in college, Maye had 3,608 yards, 33 total touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Maye played 12 games in 2023, but in 2022, he started 14 games and had his most productive collegiate year. As a sophomore, Maye had his breakout season, throwing for 4,321 yards and scoring 45 touchdowns.
Due to poor QB play, the Patriots’ top two WRs, DeMario Douglas and Ja’Lynn Polk, have struggled to make an impact. Douglas, the former sixth-round pick, had a productive rookie season, catching 49 balls for 561 yards. But through five weeks, he only has 18 catches and 153 yards. Douglas only has two games this season with over 20 yards. The Patriots drafted former Washington Huskie Polk in the second round, and he was expected to play a big part in this young offense. But that hasn’t been the case until now, only grabbing nine passes for 74 yards and one touchdown.
New England hopes Maye will inject newfound energy and life into this football team. During the Patriots’ last preseason game against the Washington Commanders, Maye completed 13 passes for 126 yards and one touchdown. Maye had a good showing in that game, displaying his big arm and dynamic playing ability. Fellow rookie QBs Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams, and Bo Nix all hit their stride, but it took time for them to succeed in the NFL. Maye has a lot of upside, but beware of the growing pains that all rookie QBs go through.
The Patriots are +7 against the Texans on DraftKings Sportsbook.
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