There is split public opinion on whether the New England Patriots should start rookie quarterback Drake Maye right out of the gates or bring him along slowly by sitting him behind veteran Jacoby Brissett.
Legendary quarterback Tom Brady weighed in on the debate following the news that Brissett would be the starter for the Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
“I’ve gone on record to say that I think it’s best, in my opinion, for a rookie quarterback to kind of watch a veteran do it,” Brady said on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd.” “There’s so much that goes on and quarterbacks need to process so much information so quickly.
“I sat behind Drew Bledsoe my first year. What a great player he was, someone I got to watch and learn from. Aaron Rodgers watched behind Brett Favre. Patrick Mahomes watched behind Alex Smith.”
Brady, Rodgers and Mahomes all turned into future Hall of Fame quarterbacks. Does that guarantee the same trajectory for Maye, if the Patriots sit him behind Brissett?
No.
However, it would give the rookie quarterback his best chance to succeed. The Patriots arguably have the toughest schedule in the NFL, and they lack the offensive line personnel and receiving weapons to help a young quarterback.
It isn’t like the team is positioned for a playoff run this season. Throwing Maye into the fire right away might be considered an unnecessary risk when the entire purpose of drafting him was for future, long-term success.
