Why Ex-Patriots Veteran Calls Sitting Drake Maye ‘Bad Decision’

The New England Patriots are taking a protective approach to the development of rookie quarterback Drake Maye, keeping the organization's third overall pick seated on the bench while leaning on veteran Jacoby Brissett as the Week 1 starter.

In the eyes of Jermaine Wiggins, a former seven-year NFL veteran and member of New England's Super Bowl XXXVI-winning team, the Patriots aren't making the right choice. The team's lack of confidence in its offensive line failed Maye throughout preseason and training camp, prompting Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo to keep the 21-year-old sidelined until further notice, which Wiggins doesn't support one bit.

"I just think this is a bad decision," Wiggins told NESN's "Boston Has Entered The Chat" podcast. "I know Jerod has said he is the final decision maker, but I don't know if this is something that's being forced on him by Alex Van Pelt and Eliot Wolf. I just think it's stupid. Does anybody complain about Bryce Young playing in Carolina? He got beat up last year. I think if anything, Bryce Young will tell you, 'Hey, that one year allowed me to be leaps and bounds ahead for where I am for my second year.' I think it's stupid."

Wiggins added: "I think you just play guys. No one's complaining in Washington by playing Jayden Daniels. I think if you draft a guy that high, you play him."

New England is still fresh off watching now-Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones, the Patriots' 15th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, fall apart after a promising first year with the team -- due in large part to the unreliable offensive line. It's clear New England doesn't intend to repeat its mistakes with Jones, this time with Maye as the team remains in its multi-year-long rebuilding stage following the Tom Brady era.