Former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky believes the New England Patriots should not start rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
Maye had a solid game against the Washington Commanders in the preseason finale, going 13-of-20 passing for 126 yards and a touchdown. The quarterback had to make some tight throws and move out of the pocket, as the offensive line struggled throughout the game.
His performance has fans debating if the Patriots should consider starting him right out of the gates in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The answer to that question would be a resounding no from Orlovsky, who believes the Patriots don’t have enough around their young quarterback for him to be successful.
“You couldn’t pay me enough to start Drake Maye. I wouldn’t do it and I wouldn’t let anybody convince me otherwise,” said Orlovsky. “…Someone give me a good reason why to play Drake Maye. Are you serving yourself, or are you serving what people may want, or what you think what the organization wants or what the fans want?
“There’s three things that rookie quarterbacks need to have success in the NFL, let alone to make sure they don’t get ruined—good scheme and play-caller, plus offensive line, plus skill. Alex Van Pelt, their offensive play-caller, I don’t know a ton about. I like his scheme. I don’t know a ton about him as a play-caller. I think it’s his first time. So I’m not making a judgment on that. They don’t have plus offensive line and plus skill. They don’t.”
"You couldn't pay me enough to start Drake Maye. I wouldn't do it and I wouldn't let anybody convince me otherwise."
—@danorlovsky7 doesn't believe the Patriots should rush to start rookie QB Drake Maye pic.twitter.com/ns44YTkvFY
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) August 26, 2024
The quarterback situation has been a trouble spot for the Patriots with the offensive line and wide receiver unit still needing time to develop.
New England may be in for a long rebuild as they look to put the pieces around Maye. This preseason has been a clear indication that those particular position groups still have a long way to go.
