“They’ve been trying to get Drake Maye ready.”—That’s what the man in the know, Ian Rapoport, opined about the Patriots’ rookie QB Drake Maye. We’re aware of the Pats’ current woes—their O-line’s more broken than an office-goer’s heart on a Monday morning, so it makes sense why they’re thrusting Maye forward so soon. 

NFL insider Rapoport didn’t mince words, throwing some shade at New England’s front five. “Last night, it featured so many offensive line problems for the Patriots,” he noted. And truth be told? Their O-line’s the problem. It’s not like the Pats aren’t aware—they’ve been prepping Maye for the big leagues for months. “Of course, over the past couple of months, they’ve been trying to get Drake Maye ready to step on the field and have success. They want to make sure that he’s in a position to thrive,” Rapoport added.

NE’s been giving the Tar Heels standout a bigger slice of the pie. Maye’s been getting about more reps in practice. What’s more, they’ve let him face Aaron Rodgers’ Jets, trying to figure out if the QB would swim or sink. “I think what they’ve done is given him more reps in practice—about 30% of the reps. They put him in live situations against the New York Jets to give him a taste of real action,” the insider explained. 

As they say, time and tide wait for none—Maye’s got to be ready for the games to come. And while Rapoport admits he’ll probably take a few hits, the experience will be worth it. “The Patriots are really trying to get him out there, and it’s all absolutely worth it. And no one’s going to care that he came in and got hit a couple of times against the Jets,” he quipped. What matters is how those bruises shape the rookie.

But wait—HC Jerod Mayo ain’t all-in just yet. “Drake has a lot to work on. A lot to work on,” Mayo said after Pats’ minicamp. Harsh? Yes. But the Pats’ HC believes in Maye’s hustle. “I have no doubt that [Drake] will put the time in,” he acknowledged, noting that the QB’s doing all it takes to deliver. 

Thursday’s 24-3 loss to the Jets. Maye went 4-of-8 for 22 yards. Not exactly perfect, but it wasn’t bad either. “I thought it was a good opportunity for him to go out there with the ones and put a few drives together,” Jerod Mayo said, keeping it real. 

So, what’s next for the Pats? Yes, they’re grooming Drake Maye for more than just backup reps—but will he become the franchise QB they need so desperately, or do we have to wait longer? In true GOAT fashion, Tom Brady offered his two cents. 

Tom Brady’s rookie QB rulebook: Don’t rush Drake Maye

The Pats are in a pickle: should they roll with Jacoby Brissett or throw rookie Drake Maye into the mix? While fans are eager for Maye to start, Tom Brady’s got other ideas. 

The seven-time Super Bowl champ warns that rushing Maye could stall his development. “It’s best, in my opinion, for young quarterbacks to watch a veteran do it,” he said. Brady said, reflecting on how Drew Bledsoe helped him adjust as a rookie.

Brady also emphasized how it’s important to not stress rookie QBs out. Aaron Rodgers studied under Brett Favre. Patrick Mahomes had Alex Smith. Tom Brady’s point? Let Maye develop at his own pace. “It’s all about timing. They need to wait,” Brady added. Sometimes waiting pays off in a big way.

If you haven’t already, do take a look at our latest Think Tank exclusive interview with Doug Sanders. This session comes up with insights on the current NFL season, college football, NIL, and much more.