Albert Breer: “Patriots Could Hurt Drake Maye’s Development” with Week 6 Start

Albert Breer of MMQB.com joined Fred Toucher and Rob 'Hardy' Poole to break down the New England Patriots' decision to start rookie quarterback Drake Maye in Week 6 against the Houston Texans. Breer discussed how the news got out, suggesting it wasn’t so much a "leak" as a result of standard reporting and the way information spreads inside teams.

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He explained that, once a change is made, news can quickly reach players and agents, and from there, it’s not long before reporters pick up on it. Breer also talked about how the team handled telling Jacoby Brissett he was being benched. While Brissett is a professional, Breer pointed out that it’s tough to ask a veteran to keep quiet for days after being told he’s no longer the starter. Brissett was honest in a press conference about the difficulty of the situation, something Breer appreciated. The timing of the decision, Breer noted, could have been handled better.

Though Maye has shown growth, Breer questioned if it was smart to throw the rookie into such a high-pressure game, especially with Houston's aggressive defense. He compared the situation to other young quarterbacks who struggled under similar circumstances, suggesting it could impact Maye’s long-term development if he isn’t careful.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Maye’s Promotion: The decision to start Drake Maye was made because he’s now seen as the best quarterback on the team, but Breer questioned if the timing was right.

Leaked News: Breer clarified that the news didn’t technically “leak,” but rather came out through typical reporting channels after players and agents learned of the decision.

Brissett’s Reaction: Jacoby Brissett didn’t take the news well but was honest about it. Breer appreciated his transparency during a tough situation.

Timing Concerns: Breer believes the team could’ve held off a bit longer before starting Maye, especially considering Houston’s blitz-heavy defense.

Potential Risks for Maye: Starting Maye against a fierce pass rush could undo the progress he’s made and potentially hurt his long-term development. Breer compared it to other young QBs who’ve struggled when thrown into difficult situations too early.