The New England Patriots have been difficult to watch on the offensive side of the ball in the first few weeks of the season. Many fans are begging to see the rookie Drake Maye become the starting quarterback. While it would definitely add some life and dynamic playmaking in the short term, it could hurt Maye’s development in the long term.
Now the question is, could the Patriots get Maye onto the field for meaningful reps while not subjecting him to the pressure of being the starter? Perhaps certain personnel packages where Maye comes in for a few plays and helps his team while not having to play an entire game behind a below-average offensive line.
Drake Maye has elite athleticism, and with his ability to run and throw, he could do some serious damage in the red zone. If the Patriots get deep into their opponent’s territory, they could put together a red zone package where Maye comes in at quarterback to try and get the ball into the end zone. This would keep defenses on their toes knowing they have to contain Maye’s running ability.
Offensive Coordinator Alex Van Pelt, could also scheme up ways to get Maye out of the pocket to avoid him getting lit up behind the poor offensive line. Maye on bootleg action passes, and read option run plays could be a very difficult thing to defend in the red zone. Not only would it make fans happy to see some playmaking ability on the offense, it would also allow Maye to get meaningful reps to help him develop, without throwing him to the wolves entirely.
If the Patriots put together a red zone package with Maye at quarterback, there are a few other names that could make the particular package even more dynamic. Getting a reliable receiver with great hands in such as fellow rookie Ja’Lynn Polk would be a smart move.
Another player who hasn’t seen much playing time and could do serious damage in the red zone is rookie receiver Javon Baker. Baker is a big, strong, true outside receiver who would be a great contested catch target for Maye when he decides to take a shot at the end zone. By having Maye, Polk, and Baker all on the field, it would add such a dynamic element to the offense when attempting to make the last final push for a touchdown.
Could we see a glimpse into the Patriots’ future?
If the Patriots decide to use Maye as a red zone package quarterback, and he thrives in this role, fans everywhere should be more than excited. By giving Maye meaningful reps, it will give New England fans hope for an amazing future with their franchise quarterback. If Vice President of Player Personnel, Eliot Wolf, continues to build this roster in the 2025 off-season, we could see a huge leap for Drake Maye. The ideal outcome would be a C.J. Stroud-type impact in Foxborough, and with the help of the NFL Draft and 2025 Free Agency, the Patriots may see a breakthrough sooner than they had previously thought possible.