Ex-NFL QB Slams Patriots For ‘Bad Decision’ To Start Drake Maye

The New England Patriots reportedly are going to take the training wheels off Drake Maye and put him in the driver’s seat.

But not everyone is on board with New England’s decision to give Maye his first career NFL start Sunday against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium.

In fact, former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky was blunt in his assessment of the move, calling it a “bad decision” Tuesday during “NFL Live.”

Orlovsky believes the Patriots are throwing Maye into a horrendous situation due to the team’s porous offensive line and lack of playmakers, which could create a nightmare debut for Maye.

“You want to take a rookie quarterback and set him up to struggle, but him behind this New England offensive line,” Orlovsky said. “On top of that, it’s probably a bottom five or six group wide receiver-wise when it comes to getting open.”

Orlvosky cited that Jacoby Brissett, who took a beating in his five starts, was pressured on 47% of his drop backs this season. That was the highest rate for a quarterback since 2006, according to Orlovsky. It led to Brissett being sacked an eye-popping 17 times.

Maye is likely to face the same type of pressure and be under siege against the Texans, who boasts two premiere edge rushers in Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter. That’s certainly not a friendly landing spot for Maye.

The 22-year-old could persevere and use his talented skill set to uplift the Patriots offense, or he could find himself most of the time on his back and getting chased around by an opposing defense, much like it was for Brissett.

The Patriots, who aren’t going anywhere this season except fighting for the No. 1 overall pick, could have been more patient with Maye and gave him a start later in the season. Instead, they are going to put his development on the line and give him a shot.

It’s clear what Orlovsky would have done.

“This is not the right choice,” Orlovsky said.