Despite Loss, Drake Maye Shows Flashes of Patriots' Bright Future
Heading into the 2024 NFL season, there were plenty of headlines about the quarterbacks who were the two picks in this year's draft: Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears, and Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders.
It made sense, considering both had immediately been named the Week 1 starters by their respective teams.
But the No. 3 overall pick was also a quarterback, but the New England Patriots had planned to take things slow and steady with Drake Maye, bringing back veteran Jacoby Brissett to be the bridge starter in the meantime.
Injuries to Brissett forced Maye into the lineup sooner than the Pats might have originally planned, but the early returns are starting to make it clear that the future might just be now in New England.
Sunday's overtime loss to the Tennessee Titans was a disappointing finish, but it was full of bright flashes of Maye's lofty potential as the Pats' new franchise passer.
The North Carolina product showed off all the impressive arm talent that would have easily made him the No. 1 overall pick in any other draft that didn't have other elite quarterback prospects like Williams and Daniels in the class:
Maye saved his best for last, making one of the most ridiculous plays of the season to force overtime with a neverending scramble that finished with a touchdown pass to Rhamondre Stevenson on the final play of regulation:
Heading into the draft, Maye didn't get enough credit for athleticism and ability to make plays as a runner, a skill set he showed off Sunday by leading the Pats with 95 yards rushing on eight attempts.
He still had his rookie moments, tossing a pair of interceptions, it's impossible to expect perfection from a rookie quarterback who is still in the early stages of adjusting to the speed and complexity of the NFL game.
Pats fans might still be in for a rough season in 2024, as they currently sit at 2-7 around the halfway mark. But as Maye proved throughout Sunday's game, he's got a limitless ceiling at the game's most important position, and that should give those New England faithful a ton of faith in the near future of the franchise.
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