Brian Hoyer explains Patriots’ cautious approach with Drake Maye

The former Patriots quarterback hinted at why New England isn't rushing the rookie Maye into a starting role.

Now that Drake Maye has made his first NFL appearance, the clock is officially ticking on his eventual takeover as the Patriots’ starting quarterback.

Pats fans who watched Jayden Daniels shred the Bengals on Monday Night Football might be dreaming big about what the rocket-armed No. 3 overall pick from the 2024 NFL Draft can do in Foxborough.

But the recent struggles of other rookies, like No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, provide cautionary tales from the Patriots about putting Maye on the field too soon.

Former Patriots quarterback Brian Hoyer has seen his share of young quarterbacks succeed and fail, having mentored rookie Mac Jones in 2021 and Raiders passer Aidan O’Connell last season. He’s also expressed support for the Patriots’ decision to start veteran Jacoby Brissett over Maye.

Though he didn’t explicitly discuss Maye in the latest episode of “The Quick Snap” podcast, he delivered some pointed insights into why playing rookie quarterbacks before they’ve had a chance to learn the ins and outs of the NFL can be a mistake.

“I think now when guys get to the NFL, these coaches, they got to get these guys ready to play fast,” Hoyer explained. “And they also know ‘I only have a short window before I get fired.’

“And so instead of going the hard way … trying to build a foundation and let these guys learn the right way and know that they’re going to mess up, it’s like, well, just throw them out there and hope that it works out. And I think you’re seeing that with not just offensive line play, but play in general.”

Those comments mirror Hoyer’s former teammate Tom Brady’s thoughts on playing young quarterbacks before they’ve had time to adequately learn the position.

That’s certainly become more of the NFL norm in recent decades, with very few highly drafted rookie quarterbacks getting “redshirt” years. Perhaps it’s not a surprise that the uber-talented Patrick Mahomes came into his second year firing on all cylinders after sitting his entire first season or that Jordan Love, who sat behind Aaron Rodgers for three years, had a dominant first year as a starter while many of their peers faltered.

The Patriots named Brissett the starter and have harped on the need for Maye to improve his offensive operation and fundamentals before he fully takes control of the offense.

Especially given the state of the Patriots’ offensive line, which Hoyer called out as one of the units struggling the most in the NFL, Maye will need every tool at his disposal to navigate the pressure he’ll face when he becomes the starter.

When that happens, Hoyer says, the Patriots and their fans still need to prepare for growing pains with their young quarterback.

“I think the thing with a young player or even an organization … is know that there are going to be mistakes. Know that there’s going to be plays that you wish you can do better. And the biggest thing is correct them as fast as you can, and then try not to repeat them.”

Maye himself will admit there were a few mistakes in that brief Thursday night appearance, including running into a bone-crushing hit. But all of that experience, along with the Patriots’ willingness to let him watch the veteran Brissett model how to play against pro defenses, will hopefully serve him well when his number is called again in the very near future.