Ex-NFL Exec Mocks Drake Maye Doubters After QB’s First Start

Many Patriots fans were deeply concerned when Jerod Mayo promoted Drake Maye to starting quarterback.

Those worriers thought Maye was set up to fail. After all, New England doesn’t feature a strong supporting cast — especially with a barrage of injuries — and its Week 6 opponent was a loaded Houston Texans team that can rush the passer with the best of them.

As expected, Maye took his lumps (four sacks) and made mistakes (three turnovers), but he also showed flashes of a legitimate franchise signal-caller. ESPN’s Louis Riddick took that mixed bag as an opportunity to poke fun at folks who thought Maye’s jump to QB1 signaled doomsday in Foxboro, Mass.

“Starting Drake Maye against the Texans didn’t permanently ruin the young man and result in the instantaneous demise of the Patriots organization,” Maye posted to X on Sunday. “…I was worried. Not. Kid is a stud. Just needs help around him. A LOT OF IT too.”

Maye was one of the main reasons why New England wasn’t completely humiliated by Houston. The 22-year-old helped the Patriots put up a season-high point total (21) and was the team’s first QB to throw for three-plus touchdowns in a game since the 2023 season opener. His three passing scores against the Texans exceeded Jacoby Brissett’s total thrown over New England’s first five games (two).

Do Maye and the Patriots still have a long way to go? Absolutely. But no one should be looking for the panic button following the rookie’s first kick at the can.