Ex-NFL Backup QB Calls Patriots’ Drake Maye Plan ‘Malpractice’

The New England Patriots are taking an unconventional approach to developing Drake Maye, and it’s received mixed reviews.

Head coach Jerod Mayo confirmed to reporters Friday that Maye is taking 30% of the starter’s reps in practice and will continue to do so throughout the season. It’s an unusual approach, but it showed how committed they are to the rookie quarterback while also servicing the team in the near term with Jacoby Brissett. It’s a plan rarely seen in the NFL, as shown by Chase Daniel’s reaction.

“This is extremely eye opening & rare,” Daniel posted on X. “I’ve never heard or been part of a situation where a teams starting QB is not getting 100% of the rep.”

Daniel played for seven teams in his 13-year NFL career and was one of the most proficient backups, so his experience does offer an interesting perspective on how the Patriots are handling Brissett and Maye. When NFL analyst Matt Miller replied to Daniel’s post saying it was only a matter of time until Maye started, the Super Bowl champion turned sour on the plan.

“Just do it already. This is downright malpractice for both of them,” Daniel replied to Miller.

Teams are only afforded a certain amount of time for practice each week, so it does seem strange to dedicate time to Maye with an unknown date for when he’ll take over for Brissett. It represents a wishy-washy attitude Mayo had for the quarterbacks when he said Maye “outplayed” Brissett in the preseason but said the veteran gave New England the best chance to win.

Time will tell if the Patriots will be proven right in their strategy, but the initial reactions weren’t very glowing from former NFL players.