Why It’s Too Early To Panic About Patriots’ Drake Maye After Early Struggles

Quarterback Drake Maye had turned some heads in the Patriots' first two days of padded practices, but it was because the rookie signal-caller struggled on the field for consecutive days.

Despite the rough outings, NESN's George Balekji said on the latest episode of "Boston Has Entered The Chat" that it's not time to start panicking.

"It's not just him, it's the situation," Balekji told co-host Travis Thomas. "... You don't have a wide receiver one. You're learning a new offensive system. It's all about timing. It's all about being on the same page. It's all about being on schedule. Don't worry about Drake Maye right now.

"If it's the same stuff a month from now, the same exact stuff, where he just looks lost, then be worried. But let's get the preseason games. Pump the brakes for the panic and stop with the Joe Milton might be QB2 on this roster. He won't."

Balekji said he's actually worried about who the Patriots backup quarterback will be when the season starts.

"If Drake Maye looks this bad and the offensive line looks this bad and Jacoby Brissett goes down in Week 2 ... Joe Milton out there, it's going to be terrible," Balekji said. "You are leaving the rest of the roster out there to dry. I don't know if Bailey Zappe could get the job done and I don't want to risk Drake Maye."

To hear more from Balkji and Thomas about the Patriots quarterback situation, watch the clip above and tune in to the full episode on YouTube and Spotify.

Has the panic started to set in for you? Who would be the Patriots backup quarterback if you had the choice? Sound off in the comments below.