PATRIOTS NEWS: Drake Maye’s mobility could create a nightmare the Patriots can’t afford

Dec 28, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterack Drake Maye (10) runs with the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

The dual-threat quarterback is a vital weapon in today’s NFL. Just ask the Philadelphia Eagles, whose Super Bowl championship last season had a lot to do with Jalen Hurts’ ability to run and pass. The Patriots have their own dual-threat signal caller in Drake Maye, who showed an ability to run the football last season.

New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is not short on experience working with dual-threat quarterbacks with the Patriots, as he did with Cam Newton in 2020, but most of his career was spent mentoring dropback passers like Tom Brady and Mac Jones.

Although designed runs for Maye wouldn’t be a bad idea from McDaniels, and he’ll certainly find a way to help Maye utilize that asset, it should be done efficiently and with caution, only since Maye dealt with a concussion last season.

Drake Maye’s running is important, but it shouldn’t be the entire focus of the offense

Thanks to a putrid offense, Maye spent most of his rookie campaign hurrying his throws and scrambling for his life. The latter is part of what led to him getting a concussion, and that’s something the Patriots don’t want to have to deal with again.

McDaniels should find ways to utilize Maye’s running abilities, but the situations have to be right. You can’t afford to get your franchise killed, especially after Eliot Wolf spent a lot of money and careful drafting to upgrade the roster to allow Maye to succeed. The Patriots have enough depth in their running back room that Maye shouldn’t spend half a game running and being hunted by linebackers and safeties.

The Patriots certainly want to win now, and they have the improvements on their roster to fight for a playoff spot in the AFC this season, but they need to think of the future. The last thing they want is a franchise quarterback spending more time with a headset on crutches than playing football.

McDaniels needs to be sensible when it comes to calling plays for Maye. The Patriots aren’t known for the Tush Push, and you certainly won’t see it in their offense this season. The last thing New England needs is for Maye to be hurt.