What other rookie QBs tell us about Maye’s inevitable path with Pats originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
There’s a partisan divide in this country, and it’s over how we develop rookie quarterbacks. Both sides are entrenched.
There’s the “play ’em right away” true believers. They cite Peyton Manning, Troy Aikman, and John Elway as future Hall of Famers who took a beating as rookies and used that experience to become champions and all-time greats.
Then there’s the “let ’em sit” caucus, which insists that Joe Montana, Aaron Rodgers, and a fella by the name of Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. benefited from spending at least a year on the sidelines. By the time those guys got their shot, they knew what to do with it.
With six quarterbacks taken in the top 12 of the 2024 NFL Draft, we’re presented with a dramatic opportunity to test the various theories of development. It will probably be two or three years before we can officially declare which approach paid dividends, but it’s not too soon to render snap judgments.
And here’s the primary takeaway: The Patriots are doing right by Drake Maye for now, but we’ll see how long they can hold out as the losses accumulate and the clamor to unveil the future grows.
Three teams are playing the rookies right away: the Bears (No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams), Commanders (Jayden Daniels, 2nd), and Broncos (Bo Nix, 12th). Meanwhile, the Patriots (Maye, 3rd), Falcons (Michael Penix, 8th), and Vikings (JJ McCarthy, 10th) are starting veterans, although Minnesota didn’t have any say in the matter once McCarthy blew out his knee in training camp.
The early returns are discouraging.
No member of the 2024 draft class had thrown a touchdown until Sunday, when Williams connected for two in a loss to the Colts, but they have combined for eight interceptions. None has a winning record, either, though Daniels could advance to 2-1 on Monday night at Cincinnati. (Daniels and Nix have each rushed for two scores, for whatever that’s…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/other-rookie-qbs-tell-us-165426995.html
Author : NBC Sports Boston
Publish date : 2024-09-23 16:54:26
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