Former NFL QB claims Patriots schedule just put Drake Maye’s Week 1 hopes dead in the water

Drake Maye has not even played a professional snap yet, and already someone is dismissing his chances.

It is no secret that the New England Patriots are looking to begin a new era with the former North Carolina Tar Heel, but Chris Simms is telling everyone to temper their expectations. Speaking with Mike Florio on NBC Sports' Pro Football Talk, he said that foresaw Maye riding the bench in Week 1 and possibly beyond:

"I don't think we're going to see Drake Maye on day one. And especially now that I see the games at Cincinnati, I think we got Jacoby Brissett."

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NBC Sports analyst predicts how likely Drake Maye is to start a game in the 2024-25 season

Meanwhile, Phil Perry, who works for NBC Sports' regional branch in Boston that covers the New England Patriots, has put out a comprehensive prediction of which games Drake Maye is likely to start.

Week 1 vs. the Cincinnati Bengals sees a relatively large possibility that the rookie will start, at 33%:

"I wouldn't rule out Drake Maye taking the starting gig. Is it likely? No. Not in my estimation. But he's more advanced and "pro-ready" than some of the other quarterbacks in his class when it comes to his frame, his willingness (and effectiveness) throwing to the middle of the field, and his feel for pressure.

"He's also more accustomed to being in a less-than-ideal situation than guys like Jayden Daniels and J.J. McCarthy, both of whom could be Week 1 starters."

However, he concedes that returning Jacoby Brissett will be the man in charge against Joe Burrow.

However, the odds fall against the Seattle Seahawks - 0.1% to be exact, although the Patriots win that game.

But that only means May will have to sit out the visit to the New York Jets, who have one of the better defenses in the league. Against the San Francisco 49ers and their elite defense, the odds remain low at 3%.

But Week 5 vs. the Miami Dolphins sees double-digit odds for the first time since the opener. And they are relatively high - 35%, the first of four straight games with at least 30% probability.

After a lull against the Tennessee Titans and Chicago Bears, the odds hit 42% against the Los Angeles Rams and their rebuilding defense, which is greatly missing the services of Aaron Donald.

Maye's highest chances of starting come in the two games flanking the Patriots' bye week: 60% vs. the Indianapolis Colts and 55% at the Arizona Cardinals.