By Ella Zinken
When the news broke before the 2024 National Football League (NFL) season started, New England was stunned. Jacoby Brissett was going to be the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots.
Even though they had a shiny new quarterback out of North Carolina picked third overall in the draft, they were going back to the man who backed up Tom Brady. And he wasn’t even the second string– he was the third string, meaning that something would have to happen to both Brady and second string Jimmy Garoppolo in order for him to play. Needless to say, he didn’t play much and was eventually traded away and hopped between teams for years before eventually coming back to New England for the 2024 season. Going into training camp, there was much debate between experts about who was going to be the starter, though most fans were very vocal about how they felt Drake Maye deserved the job.
Week 1 started out looking positive for Jacoby Brissett as he led his team to a 16-10 win over the Bengals, but it spiraled from there. In Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks, he was unable to hold onto the ball in a 23-20 overtime loss, and Weeks 3 and 4 were equally as bad. After an embarrassing performance in Week 5, the fans got what they wanted. Brissett had thrown less than 170 yards in every game of the season while taking 17 sacks and being pressured in 50% of his dropbacks, which is a league-high.
No matter how Maye performed in Week 6 against the Texans, it could not have been worse than Brissett’s starts. Drake Maye came out to resounding cheers from the home crowd and had what can only be described as an outstanding start. Maye threw for three touchdowns, which is more than Brissett has thrown all season. Maye also became the team’s leading rusher in his debut.
One of the most compelling reasons that Drake Maye is the future of this young team is his potential. He has already showcased remarkable skill at a young age, and there is reason to believe he has not yet reached his full potential. With each game and practice, he learns and adapts, making him a valuable investment for the program’s future.
Coaches like Jerod Mayo have an opportunity to mold Maye’s talents and refine his skills, allowing him to develop into a top-tier quarterback. His willingness to learn from feedback and criticism indicates that he is committed to improving, which is essential for any athlete looking to excel at the collegiate level and beyond.
What transpired on that field in Maye’s debut was more than just a changing of the guard; it was a glimpse into the future. Maye’s innate talent and relentless drive for improvement made it clear that he wasn’t just stepping in as a starter — he was poised to become the cornerstone of a new era for the Patriots. Coaches like Jerod Mayo now had the invaluable opportunity to harness this potential, shaping Maye into a top-tier quarterback capable of leading the franchise back to its former glory.
Even through the first 6 weeks, it is apparent that this will not be a playoff year for the Patriots but will instead be focused on rebuilding, especially in terms of their offensive and defensive lines. Right now, the Patriots are sitting at the No. 3 pick in the 2025 draft, which would allow them to fulfill their need for an all-star lineman. It is anticipated that they will use the rest of the season to develop their young quarterback.