Analysts share concerns about Drake Maye's early success with Patriots

Multiple ESPN personalities seem concerned about quarterback Drake Maye experiencing a difficult rookie season as a member of the New England Patriots. 

"Now that the Patriots have Maye, a high-ranking executive from an NFL team opined that arguably the most important thing for them to do is clarify the roles of coaches in his development," Mike Reiss of ESPN explained on Sunday.

Specifically, new Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney, senior offensive assistant Ben McAdoo and former assistant quarterbacks coach Evan Rothstein on his staff. 

Reiss indicated that the unnamed executive thinks that "too many voices in Maye's ear — given his limited playing experience (26 career starts) and youth (21 years old) — could be counterproductive."

Some analysts repeatedly said leading up to the draft that Maye needs to sit behind a veteran such as current New England signal-caller Jacoby Brissett this coming fall so that the first-year pro can learn and develop as a spectator. 

However, Mayo said late last week that "the best player will start" at the sport's most important position in September. That suggests Maye will receive an opportunity to win the QB1 job through the preseason. 

"The Patriots have a porous offensive line outside of right tackle Mike Onwenu, and they didn't address it until the third round (Caedan Wallace at No. 68)," Matt Miller of ESPN noted on Sunday. "The wide receiver corps, even with Ja'Lynn Polk added, lacks a true No. 1 option and is made up of really good second- and third-type targets. Maye is a solid player, there's no debating that. But the landing spot for a 21-year-old quarterback who needs time to develop is iffy."

History shows that any head coach, let alone one following in the footsteps of a living legend such as Bill Belichick, could feel pressure from ownership and/or the fans to play a rookie quarterback taken with a top-three pick. 

As Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio pointed out this past weekend, though, "most don’t expect" the 2024 Patriots will be contenders. 

Mayo should at least consider telling the front office that Maye will serve as a backup through the bulk of his debut pro campaign and until New England can add needed talent next offseason.