Why Drew Bledsoe supports the Patriots’ Drake Maye plan

Despite the praise he received, Drake Maye will not be in the starting lineup in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season, and the rookie’s predecessors at the New England Patriots were in favor of that decision.

Head coach Jerod Mayo admitted that Maye “outdid” Jacoby Brissett and emphasized “competition” throughout the offseason. But Brissett was named the starter, which was a sensible move, but the method Mayo used to make his decision was odd.

Tom Brady openly believed that rookie quarterbacks shouldn’t start right away. He and others benefited from that strategy, but Drew Bledsoe was a Patriots Hall of Famer who didn’t sit out his rookie season. The No. 1 pick in 1993 was sacked, injured, and had a mediocre season before breaking out in his sophomore year. Still, Bledsoe had no problem with his former team’s handling of Maye.

“Philosophically, I like what they’re doing,” Bledsoe said Friday on WEEI’s “Jones & Keefe.” “That’s largely because of Jacoby Brissett. That guy is a veteran quarterback. He’s played well for a long time and he’s going to be a great mentor for Drake. He can win games in the short term as well. And then, philosophically, I was thrown right in there. I felt like I was ready for it. Obviously (Bill) Parcells felt like I was ready for it. There are benefits to sitting and watching, too. I didn’t learn that until I got injured my rookie year. I got to watch three games and sitting on the sidelines and watching three games seemed to slow everything down a little bit. Philosophically, I agree with that and I also think Jacoby is an outstanding quarterback. And he could help them win some games in the short term while they get Drake ready.”

Parcells also admitted it was a nuanced conversation. He let Bledsoe start in 1993 but waited for players like Tony Romo. Patriots fans feel Maye will get his chance at some point this season, and it remains to be seen how much sitting out early in the season will benefit the 2024 No. 3 pick.