New England Patriots legend, Rob Grownkowski, warns fans calling for Drake Maye to start. The former Patriots player thinks the rookie's performance in the season doesn't yet qualify for a starting position in Week 5.
Fans began calling for rookie quarterback Drake Maye to take the starting position after the New England Patriots recorded two straight blowout losses in the last two weeks. Taking a detour from their history of providing strategically excellent performance every season, the Patriots have fallen short at consistently moving the football through the air.
While Jacoby Brissett has put up a fairly solid performance, he hasn’t been good enough at this point. His less-than-stellar performance possibly informed fans’ decision to turn to potential talent Maye. However, team legend Gronkowski would have fans think otherwise.
Besides, the offensive line hasn’t also played up to the team’s needs. The Patriots generated only one play over 13 yards (a 21-yard pickup to Ja’Lynn Polk) before Antonio Gibson reeled in a 50-yard pass on the team’s final drive of the evening.
Add all that to Brissett costly pick-six and a lost fumble in the fourth at Levi’s Stadium, and New England’s underwhelming offense means the team’s fate is hanging on the ropes in Week 5.
Rob Grownkowski Advises Against Starting Maye
The former Patriots player said, "New England Patriots fans, I know what you're saying. 'Put Drake Maye in, this offense needs a spark.' But I'm telling you, it will be the same old story with Drake Maye if he replaces Jacoby Brissett. He'll be getting sacked. The offensive line will be letting guys go through, putting pressure on him. You don't want to ruin his confidence. Wait until at least Week 12."
Brissett, on his part, has been under constant pressure due to his side’s uninspiring outing. On the one drive that Maye did play against the New York Jets, Brissett was sacked twice.
Although he was the No. 3 overall pick, Gronkowski thinks the young quarterback could get psychologically affected if he got multiple sacks in his first games. Meanwhile, too many teams have reportedly thrown their high-draft pick quarterback to the wolves and possibly regret their choices now.
The young quarterbacks were yet to develop their potential, a development that the Patriots can't afford to repeat. Rather, Gronkowski wants the Patriots to allow Maye to develop slowly from the sideline instead so he can learn the game without combating the pressure. However, chances are that the rookie will be the starter by the end of the season.
Closing Thoughts
New England Patriots legend Rob Grownkowski warns fans calling for Drake Maye to start. The former Patriots player thinks the rookie's performance in the season doesn't yet qualify for a starting position in Week 5. Grownkowski thinks starting the rookie this early in the season might put too much responsibility and pressure on his shoulders, potentially hurting his ability to develop at the game.