Many NFL 2024 rookie quarterbacks will be suited up and starting in week 1 of this season. However, the New England Patriots‘ No. 3 overall pick in this past draft will begin the season on the bench watching a seasoned veteran start for the team.
Drake Maye is the next in line for the historic Patriots franchise to try and replace the greatest to ever do it in Tom Brady. While the team is now five years removed from the GOAT, they have yet to win a playoff game and have only appeared in one. Now, Brady himself gave his take on how his former team should go about bringing Maye into the starting role.
Tom Brady Wants The Young Rookies To Develop Properly
Earlier this month, the most accomplished player in the history of the game was very vocal about how he feels that the NFL is ruining young quarterbacks. In his mind, and based on the huge majority of the history of quarterback play, he feels that these young players need more time to develop before rushing them into the starting lineup:
“I think it’s just a tragedy that we’re forcing these rookies to play early,” Brady said. “But the reality is the only reason why they are is that we’ve dumbed the game down, which has allowed them to play.”
What Brady means when he says ‘dumbing down the game’, he is highlighting that young quarterbacks are building awful habits early. If you start your career in a dumbed-down version, it is much harder to properly develop according to Brady:
“We used to spend hours and hours in the offseason, in training camp, trying to be a little bit better the next year,” Brady said. “But I think what happens is it discourages the coaches from going to deep levels because they realize the players don’t have the opportunity to go to a deep level, so they’re just going to teach them where they’re at.”
This is not only an issue in the pros but in college as well. Brady wants to see proper development of these incredibly talented young rookies, and he kept to that exact mentality when asked about Drake Maye, and when we should see him in the starting role.
Tom Brady Knows Exactly What To Do With Drake Maye
On Tuesday, the legendary quarterback appears on “The Herd” with FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd. Cowherd asked the former Patriot what he thinks about the Drake Maye situation, and when Maye should be inserted into the starting lineup for the team, as he is clearly the most talented quarterback on the roster.
Brady was consistent with his take on Maye, and he wants his former team to be as patient as possible to allow Maye to develop behind a smart veteran player in Jacoby Brissett. Brady highlighted examples of quarterbacks who have had incredible success because of sitting behind a quality veteran quarterback:
“I think it’s best, in my opinion, for young quarterbacks and rookie quarterbacks to kind of watch a veteran do it,” the seven-time Super Bowl champ explained.
“I sat behind Drew Bledsoe… Aaron Rodgers watched behind Brett Favre, Patrick Mahomes watched behind Alex Smith. When you have a real pro in front of you, they can help with that learning curve. … It’s a big difference between college football and professional football.”
.@TomBrady on if he would start Drake Maye:
"I think it's best for rookie quarterbacks to watch a veteran do it." pic.twitter.com/uzcTDGpwqc
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) September 3, 2024
In the modern league, we see many young quarterbacks inserted into the starting role in week 1 of their careers. that has led to many talented prospects never attaining any success and there are many examples to choose from.
Maye has looked incredible so far, but he could use as much development as possible, as he just turned 22 years old.
Hopefully, the Patriots listen to Brady’s advice and take as much time as possible with Maye. They are in a full rebuild this season, and won’t sniff the playoffs. It would follow that they could insert Maye super late into the year so that there is no pressure for him to win now and have all the attention on his development.
Related: WATCH: NFL Legend Tom Brady Rips League Over ‘Tragic’ Treatment of Rookie Quarterbacks
