Mike McDaniel offers brutally honest take on Patriots QB Drake Maye

The New England Patriots lost again to the Miami Dolphins, but this game didn't set offenses back 50 years like the last match-up did. Points were scored, but unfortunately for the Patriots, most of those points scored came from the Dolphins.

Drake Maye continued to show potential, however, and that's what fans should take away from this defeat. Maye completed 22-of-37 passes for 222 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, but the offensive line couldn't protect him very well, and he was sacked four times (and hit eight total times).

Following the game, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel spoke honestly about what he saw from Maye, who didn't play in the first match-up between these two teams. McDaniel said, "Honestly, I'm not really rooting for his development, but I can appreciate the player, and they have a very good player to work with."

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McDaniel elaborated more on what he saw from Maye, noting, "He had ownership of the game, even a little bit more than what had shown on tape... when you’re able to be a pocket passer, but then extend plays and make teams pay when you’re in man coverage or 2-man, it’s a problem."

McDaniel probably knows that if the Patriots had just a slightly better offensive line and a few more playmakers that this latest game would have been a lot closer. It also makes sense why he wouldn't want to see Maye develop into a good quarterback because if he does, that means McDaniel will have to go up against him twice a year for a long time (assuming McDaniel sticks around in Miami, that is).

The Patriots aren't going anywhere this year but the hope is that the team can add some help for Maye for 2025 and beyond. The third-overall pick has shown a lot of promise, throwing for 1,458 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven picks in seven starts and eight appearances this year.

He hasn't been the reason this team has been struggling but hopefully, he can offer some hope for this team as they look toward 2025 and beyond.