By Steve Atkinson
Drake Maye looked good against the Eagles on Thursday night, while Jacoby Brissett didn’t look good at all. He threw a horrendous interception, which I’m sure some Patriots fans wish Mac Jones had thrown instead. Jacoby has come here to be a bridge for Drake Maye until he’s ready to be the starter. Is that sooner rather than later? There’s practice this week and one final preseason game to find out. One thing is for certain according to people who cover the team: Zappe will be cut. They’ll probably sign a veteran who knows his place to backup Jacoby Brissett.
Comparing Drake Maye and Mac Jones
Let’s go back in time three years ago when people were saying the same thing about Mac Jones. Oh man, he looks great and will beat out Cam Newton for the starting job. Sure enough, he did, and then Cam got cut. Now, if the same thing happens this time and Drake wins the starting job over Jacoby, he won’t have a defensive and special teams coach in his second year. He’ll have an established offensive coordinator and quarterback coach period. Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf would never do what Belichick did with Mac after Josh McDaniels left. Eliot and Jerod will develop Maye the right way period.
I think Drake Maye Is Going To Sit
I personally think they’re going to have Jacoby start the season. There’s no reason to rush Drake; you’ve got a tough schedule anyway. We don’t need to mess with Drake’s head mentally; let him see some live game action, and watch Jacoby, and another established veteran who knows his place. Not a toxic backup fourth-round nobody who kissed the ass of the former head coach and who isn’t even good. Zappe thinks he’s better than everyone, but the practice numbers in training camp show no proof of that. He barely gets any reps.
The Packer Way involves rebuilding and allowing a younger quarterback to sit for a season or two. However, this approach is only feasible when you have a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers. Jacoby Brissett is a sensible choice because he is familiar with the Alex Van Pelt offense. Nevertheless, he needs to minimize throwing interceptions, especially after last Thursday’s performance.
Drake Maye resembles the 2021 version of Mac Jones, but nobody acknowledges it because the team’s media doesn’t want to put too much blame on Bill for what happened to Mac. Bill mentally crushed Mac, and by 2023 it was too late. Now, Mac has bounced back with a great preseason in Jacksonville and will probably secure the backup job. However, when it comes to New England, I believe Mayo and Wolf will treat Drake Maye fairly, unlike Bill’s treatment of Mac.
What happens with Mac and Drake going forward is a reflection on Belichick Mac Jones can play football and Drake Maye will be developed the right way something Belichick didn’t do after Brady left. Mac Jones and Drake Maye’s performance will reflect on Belichick. Jones can play football, and Maye will be developed properly, unlike how Belichick handled Brady’s departure.
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