The New England Patriots have decided to start Drake Maye at quarterback this Sunday against the Houston Texans, as confirmed by Yahoo Sports‘ Jori Epstein on Tuesday, following a report from NFL Network. Maye will step in for veteran Jacoby Brissett, who has led the Patriots in their first five games, resulting in a disappointing 1-4 start.
Drafted out of North Carolina with the No. 3 overall pick in April, Maye was always expected to become the starting quarterback for New England; the only question was when. That question has now been answered, with Maye set to make his NFL debut on Sunday.
The Patriots entered the season with tempered expectations, sparking speculation that the team might bench Maye during his rookie year to allow him to develop behind the scenes. Concerns about a weak offensive line and limited options at the skill positions added to the argument for keeping him out of the spotlight initially. Reports indicated that Maye faced a significant learning curve when he began training camp, but he showcased the arm strength and athleticism that made him the third overall draft pick during preseason games.
Head coach Jerod Mayo ultimately chose Brissett as the starter after the preseason concluded. The decision seemed to pay off initially when the Patriots pulled off a shocking 16-10 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. However, the team has struggled significantly since then, losing four consecutive games, including a 24-3 defeat to the New York Jets in Week 3. The Patriots have failed to score more than 13 points in each of their last three matchups.
Currently, New England ranks 31st out of 32 teams in total offense and sits at the bottom of the league in passing yards per game. Brissett’s performance has been underwhelming, with a 58.5% completion rate, averaging 139.2 yards per game, along with two touchdowns and one interception.
Coach Mayo has consistently backed Brissett, stating that “Brissett is our quarterback until I say he’s not the quarterback.” While he has not publicly declared Brissett’s removal, the decision to start Maye indicates that the Patriots are ready to explore other options.
Despite the ongoing issues at the quarterback position and the team’s offensive struggles, the Patriots have decided it is time to see what their rookie can bring to the table. As New England approaches Week 6, all eyes will be on Maye as he takes the field, offering a glimmer of hope for the struggling franchise.