Prior to drafting Drake Maye third overall this year, the last time the Patriots picked that high was 1993, when they selected Drew Bledsoe first overall. So, if anyone can shed some light on the start-or-sit debate when it comes to handling a highly drafted quarterback, it would be Bledsoe.
The Patriots Hall of Famer did just that on Jones & Keefe Friday, and it turns out Bledsoe actually supports New England’s plan to not start Maye in Week 1, even though he did start right away himself. Listen to the full interview above.
“Philosophically, I like what they’re doing, largely because of Jacoby Brissett,” Bledsoe said. “This guy’s a veteran quarterback. He’s played well for a long time. … I was thrown right in there. I felt like I was ready for it. Obviously Bill Parcells felt like I was ready for it. But there’s also a benefit to sitting and watching.
“I didn’t learn that until I got hurt my rookie year. I got to sit and watch three games, and just standing on the sideline and watching for three games, it seemed like that slowed the whole thing down a bit. So philosophically, I agree with it, and I also think Jacoby is a good quarterback and he might help them win some games in the near-term while they’re getting Drake ready.”
The Patriots went 5-11 in that 1993 season, but they and Bledsoe finished on a positive note, winning four straight games to close out the year after starting 1-11. That momentum carried into the 1994 season, when they went 10-6 and made the playoffs, with Bledsoe making his first Pro Bowl.
That would seem to be the blueprint the Patriots hope to follow this time around, too: Give Maye some time to sit and watch, then have him play and build some momentum down the stretch that everyone can carry into next season. Let’s see if that’s how it actually plays out.