(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots may have found their quarterback for the future.
However, that doesn’t mean he should play come Week 1.
When it came to assessing Drake Maye as a prospect, most analysts agreed upon two things: He’s an elite physical prospect with a sky-high upside, and he’s not ready to play right away.
Considering that, former Patriots LB Rob Ninkovich urged the fans and local media to cut their rookie some slack.
In the latest edition of The Dan And Ninko Show, he claimed that the last thing they want to do is have local outlets and radio hosts talking about how the Patriots are messing things up by having the No. 3 pick on the bench and how they should rush him to the field (via Los Pats Talks).
Former #Patriots LB Rob Ninkovich says fans and the organization must be patient with rookie QB Drake Maye’s development.
“… we also need some patience, okay? Let’s have some patience. Because you don’t wanna be sitting October 1st and… every radio station — every article in… pic.twitter.com/VXi3BrV8yE
— Carlos Talks Pats (@LosTalksPats) April 30, 2024
That’s right on point.
Yes, the Patriots desperately need an upgrade at the quarterback position, but they’re not just a quarterback away from competing, so there’s absolutely no point in rushing him into action and ‘breaking’ him.
They should’ve learned their lesson from Mac Jones’ tenure there, and sometimes, having a guy sit for a year or two is the only way to polish him and actually bring the best out of him, just like the Green Bay Packers did with Jordan Love.
Maye is by no means NFL-ready.
He may have the athletic tools to withstand the physicality of the league and whatnot, but sending him out there isn’t only a disservice to him as a young player, but it’s also setting him up for failure.
The post Former Patriots Player Urges Fans To Be Patient With Drake Maye appeared first on The Cold Wire.