Former Rookie of the Year believes Drake Maye should be Patriots' starter

Robert Griffin III, recently a free agent in the sports media business, knows something about highly drafted rookie quarterbacks. The 2011 Heisman Trophy winner from Baylor University was drafted No. 2 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft and went on to win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors after taking the pro football world by storm.

In a recent tweet, he got involved in the Patriots quarterback debate and stated that Drake Maye should get the starting nod for the 2024 season, describing his playmaking ability and football IQ as the basis of his argument.

Griffin makes some excellent points, particularly regarding Maye's playmaking ability and giving the Pats the best chance to win.

While Maye's preseason debut, in which he played six snaps, was less than memorable, his second game against the Eagles last week was the polar opposite. It was one of those moments where you'll remember where you were and who you were watching with.

The rookie played the entire second and third quarters and it was the first "I have arrived moment" of his very young career.

He had an elite 3rd-and-5 conversion to Javon Baker that led to a field goal, then proceeded to lead the Patriots on a drive and scored a rushing touchdown - showcasing that he is a dual threat, particularly on the goal line and in short yardage.

Perhaps the biggest play was an incompletion where Maye showcased the arm talent that not many people have. It was the thing that set him apart in many people's eyes, and people compared him to the likes of Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes.

Maye climbed the pocket and launched it 55 yards in the air like it was nothing. Baker laid out for the ball, which went just through his hands - incomplete. Nevertheless, it was a "wow" moment for Maye. Coupled with the struggles of the starter, Jacoby Brissett, as well as Joe Milton III and Bailey Zappe, I came away from that game seeing Maye head and shoulders above his competition.

It's never been a question of "should he start?" It's always been, "When should he start?"

Robert Griffin III makes sensible argument in favor of Drake Maye being named the Patriots starter

Maye was drafted to lead this team. The Patriots brought Brissett in to ease Maye into the starting role. Right now, though, Brissett needs to play better to be the starter over Maye.

Conversely, you must ask two questions: do you want to protect Maye and not risk injury? And how quickly do you want to win? The latter might seem odd, but Maye offers you victories. As Griffin III said, he gives you the best chance to win games.

Maye might mess around and get you five wins, six wins, eight wins, nine wins - talking playoffs. Playoffs. Add in the fact that the Patriots defense looks phenomenal, and Maye could eliminate any chance that you have of getting a good draft pick. He's that talented.

So the real question is, what are you looking for? If you're looking for your best chance to win, it's 100% Drake Maye. If you want to punt to the future, protect your quarterback, and build assets around him, then you sit him.

If you're asking me which way to go today, I side with Griffin III in saying start Maye. He's your best quarterback. You let him win as many games as possible and go from there.

Whether you're drafting 10th or 20th, you draft the best player available to continue to build around Maye. The future is bright in New England, and many people (including Griffin III) are already noticing.

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