Report: Patriots plan to start Drake Maye vs. Texans originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
If you predicted Week 6 as the week Drake Maye would take over as the New England Patriots’ starting quarterback, please step up and claim your prize.
According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the Patriots plan to start their No. 3 overall draft pick this Sunday when they welcome the Houston Texans to Gillette Stadium.
The future is now in New England: Sources say the #Patriots are planning to start Drake Maye against the #Texans, the first start for the No. 3 overall pick.
Jacoby Brissett, who started the first five games, heads to the bench. pic.twitter.com/NrQQG65A0r
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 8, 2024
The report comes amid a four-game losing skid in which the Patriots’ offense has struggled mightily with Brissett at the helm. The veteran signal-caller has only two touchdowns with an average of 139.2 passing yards through five games this season. He has been sacked 17 times, tied for the third most among all NFL QBs.
New England’s porous offensive line understandably left many hesitant to throw Maye into the fire. However, the rookie has reportedly made tremendous strides in his development over the last few weeks, making him the most sensible option to lead a Patriots offense in desperate need of a spark.
Maye made his official NFL debut in garbage time during the Patriots’ Week 4 loss to the New York Jets. The third overall pick out of North Carolina completed four of his eight passes for 22 yards and was sacked twice.
Even if Maye experiences growing pains in his first start, it’s hard to believe the Pats offense could look any worse than it has in recent weeks. At this point, he offers the most upside against C.J. Stroud and the high-powered Texans offense coming off a big win over the Buffalo Bills.
Houston enters Sunday’s matchup leading the AFC South with a 4-1 record. New England will look to earn its first win since its upset victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in its season opener.
Maye and the Patriots will take on the Texans at 1 p.m. ET Sunday in Foxboro.
