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Recent history brings hope for Patriots' decision to start Drake Maye in Week 6

New England's No. 3 overall draft pick gets the nod to start Sunday against Houston.

By Kellen Coleman

Sep 29, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) during warmups before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images
Sep 29, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) during warmups before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images / Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images
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In an announcement that sent shockwaves throughout Patriots Nation and the NFL, New England declared the future is now by naming Drake Maye their starting quarterback heading into Week 6 against the Houston Texans.

This season has been one of rookie quarterback success stories, and the Patriots will try to get some positive momentum toward the future with Maye. He will be the fourth rookie quarterback to start a game this season, potentially fifth if the news out of New Orleans is accurate that Spencer Rattler will take over for an injured Derek Carr.

While the results haven't been without growing pains, the trio of Caleb Williams (Chicago), Jayden Daniels (Washington), and Bo Nix (Denver) have led their respective teams to a combined 10-5 record with a nine-game winning streak between the three. 

Daniels has stood atop the rookie mountain thus far. He has the Commanders riding a four-game winning streak to first place in the NFC East at 4-1 while throwing for 1,135 yards and four touchdowns to just two interceptions. He leads the league with a staggering 77.1% completion percentage and has added 300 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. 

Williams had a slower start, including a challenging game against Maye and the Pats' upcoming opponent Houston, but he and the Bears have won their last two games and sit at 3-2 and tied for third in the vaunted NFC North. Williams has passed for 1,091 yards and five touchdowns with four interceptions at a 62.9% completion rate.

While elusive in and out of the pocket, he has yet to be nearly as effective on the ground as Daniels, with 113 yards and no scores.

Nix is the biggest surprise after Denver's 0-2 start, but he has led the Broncos to three straight wins and sole possession of second place in the AFC West behind undefeated Kansas City. He has struggled the most individually, having thrown for 866 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions with a 61.8% completion percentage. Nix has managed three touchdowns on the ground, accounting for 119 rushing yards.

So what does all this mean for Maye, and why should Pats fans be optimistic? 

While the struggles have been aplenty, New England has been in three of the games thus far. The Pats won at Cincinnati to start the season, followed by a three-point loss at Seattle in week 2. The two-week road stretch at the Jets and San Francisco left much to be desired, but the Pats returned home in Week 5 and lost by only five to Miami. 

The wins, in short, have been at least there for the taking. And while the offensive line issues and lack of protection aren't ideal for any quarterback - let alone a rookie - the quarterback play has been equally bad for the Pats and could not be ignored any longer.

You could break down film for days and days to see where Maye could make better throws/decisions than Brissett on particular plays, and there have certainly been instances where it seemed that a play was there to be made and just wasn't. 

Ultimately, the only way to find out is to let Maye do it, and the Patriots are doing just that.

Oct. 8, 2024, could forever be known as "Maye Day" in New England. It was the day the franchise took the plunge, started the rookie quarterback, and steered the Pats back on the path to success.

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