Former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky believes the New England Patriots should not start rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
Maye played a solid game in the final preseason game against the Washington Commanders, completing 13 of 20 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown. The quarterback had to make some tight throws and get out of the pocket as the offensive line struggled throughout the game.
His performance has led fans to debate whether the Patriots should start him in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The answer to that question is a resounding no from Orlovsky, who believes the Patriots don’t have enough talent around their young quarterback to be successful.
“You couldn’t pay me enough to let Drake Maye play. I wouldn’t do it and I wouldn’t let anyone convince me otherwise,” Orlovsky said. “…Someone give me one good reason why I should let Drake Maye play. Are you serving yourself or what people want or what you think the organization wants or what the fans want?
“There are three things rookie quarterbacks need to be successful in the NFL, not to mention not get ruined — good strategy and playmaking, plus offensive line, plus skill. I don’t know much about Alex Van Pelt, their offensive playmaker. I like his strategy. I don’t know much about him as a playmaker. I think it’s his first time. So I’m not making any judgments about that. They don’t have a good offensive line or good skill. They don’t.”
“You couldn’t pay me enough to create Drake Maye. I wouldn’t do it and I wouldn’t let anyone convince me otherwise.”
—@danorlovsky7 doesn’t believe the Patriots should rush into using rookie QB Drake Maye pic.twitter.com/ns44YTkvFY
– GetUp (@GetUpESPN) 26 August 2024
The quarterback situation is a problem area for the Patriots, as the offensive line and wide receiver unit still need time to develop.
New England may be in for a long rebuild if they try to land Maye, and this preseason was a clear indication that these specific position groups still have a long way to go.
