Ever since Tom Brady left the New England Patriots to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Patriots have struggled mightily to find an even average quarterback to replace the greatest of all time.
The list of quarterbacks to start for the Patriots post-Brady includes Cam Newton, Brian Hoyer, Mac Jones, Jacoby Brissett, and Bailey Zappe. Currently, rookie Drake Maye is under center.
None of those quarterbacks really panned out, and only in 2021 did New England make it to the playoffs. That year, they had then-rookie Jones at quarterback.
Former Patriot Super Bowl Winner Loves Drake Maye
While Jones led the Patriots to a playoff berth in 2021, his tenure with the Patriots took a downturn. He was ultimately traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason due to underperforming.
Jones is back in a starting role with the Jaguars as Trevor Lawrence had surgery and is out for the year with a shoulder injury he suffered against the Houston Texans. With Jones back on the field, former eight-year New England Patriot linebacker and two-time Super Bowl winner with the club Rob Ninkovich sees a vast difference between Jones and Maye.
On “The Dan and Ninko Show,” Ninkovich compared a postgame press conference between Maye and Jones, and the duo noted a gulf in how the two answered questions.
Ninkovich was visibly excited as Maye took responsibility and explained in specific detail what went wrong and how the Patriots could get better.
Then they put up a clip of Jones, and it is the complete opposite reaction. They abruptly stop the clip in disgust as Jones is using clichés to explain what went wrong when asked about throwing two interceptions in a recent game. Ninkovich made his decision right there that he thinks Maye has a bright future with New England.
“Drake [Maye] is a breath of fresh air,” Ninkovich said. “We got our quarterback for the next 10 years.”
Rob Ninkovich on Drake Maye vs Mac Jones.
😭😭😭
🎥: @danandninko pic.twitter.com/YpMEdCjHga
— Savage (@SavageSports_) December 25, 2024
Maye’s Season to Date
New England drafted Maye as the third overall pick in last year’s NFL Draft, but he did not get his first start until the Week 6 game against the Houston Texans. Brissett was the starter for the first five games of the year.
Maye’s record has not been great as a starter, with just two wins. But in the first win, he left early with a concussion against the New York Jets and was just 3 of 6 passing for 23 yards before leaving the game.
Compared to other rookie quarterbacks, Maye is holding up quite well despite not starting right away. His 14 touchdowns are fourth among rookies, and he is only five behind No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, who has thrown 19 in 15 starts compared to 11 starts for Maye.
Add Ninkovich’s name as the latest to like what Maye’s future could be for the Patriots.