Drake Maye to Make His Debut vs Texans

Six quarterbacks were selected in the first round of this year's NFL Draft, with three already having made their debuts while others are still waiting for their chance. For players like Mike Penix III and JJ McCarthy, the situations they were drafted into have delayed their first starts. Penix sits behind veteran Kirk Cousins, while McCarthy suffered an injury that has postponed his opportunity. However, one quarterback in a different scenario is New England’s Drake Maye.

Maye has been backing up Jacoby Brissett to start the season, with many believing the Patriots were protecting the rookie from a less-than-ideal situation given the current state of the roster. But that approach seems to have come to an end, as head coach Jerod Mayo has made the decision to start Maye for the first time this week against the Houston Texans.

This is a move that arguably should have been made weeks ago, given the Patriots’ offensive struggles under Brissett. While Brissett has played solid football, he’s a game manager rather than a game changer. On tape, it’s evident that Brissett lacks the ability to extend plays when the pocket collapses or take deep shots downfield when opportunities arise. Maye, on the other hand, possesses the physical tools to make plays with his legs under pressure, and his explosive arm talent adds a dynamic threat that hasn’t been present with Brissett at the helm.

Houston won’t be an easy opponent, though. Head coach DeMeco Ryans has already seen success against rookie quarterbacks this season. Some may recall that the Texans faced No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and the Bears earlier this year, a game where Williams struggled mightily, throwing two interceptions and being sacked seven times in a loss. The Patriots will need to study that game closely to avoid a similar fate, but the question remains whether they have the personnel to protect Maye adequately. New England’s offensive line has been porous at best, and Maye could be in for a rough welcome to the NFL if the protection isn’t there.

Still, based on his skill set alone, Maye gives the Patriots a better chance to win than Brissett. His ability to make plays under duress could be the spark this offense desperately needs. Regardless of the challenges, Maye’s debut promises to be an exciting one, and fans should be eager to see what one of the league’s most highly-touted prospects can do.