The Highmark Stadium on Sunday might have just witnessed the Patriots gain back their ‘hallmark’ QB stability. It wasn’t just the stats that spoke to the masses during the 23-20 victory over the Buffalo Bills. Instead, in a moment that became a notable highlight, Drake Maye somehow found wide receiver Stefon Diggs on a 12-yard pass in the fourth quarter, even as DaQuan Jones brought him down. Completing 22 of 30 passes for 273 yards was just the cherry on top. 

… But a very crucial one. Defeating the 4-0 Bills while outplaying Josh Allen means that the Pats might be close to ending their franchise QB drought. But if Mike Vrabel & Co. want to make it a reality, Drew Bledsoe has some words of caution for them to consider. 

“Really happy to see Drake playing at the level he’s playing,” the former Patriots signal-caller told Kay Adams on the Up & Adams Show on October 9. “Drake’s another guy who’s going to have to take care of himself. Not everybody can beat Josh Allen and play like you’re a linebacker and stay healthy. That doesn’t work for everybody.”

“You’re a competitor first, right?” added Bledsoe on being asked what the head coach should do to protect the young QB. “And you always want to make the play you want to get that big first down. You’re out there to compete, but I think you just have to ingrain in them that ‘Hey, look. We need you for the whole season, and it’s a long season’.”

Already turning heads last year—his 7.8 yards per carry were the most by any rookie QB since Michael Vick in 2001—Maye rose to match strides with Brady very early in the season. The 23-year-old became the first NE quarterback since the 7x champion to have four consecutive games with:

• 73.3 percent or better completion rate
• 200+ passing yards
• 100+ passer rating

What’s more, a look into the locker room says he is quietly growing into the leadership role, too.

In a commentary shared by Patriots reporter Mark Daniels, the players were loud in cementing the young QB’s role in the team. “We’ve got complete trust in him. He’s our guy. I’ll go to war with him any day,” cornerback Carlton Davis asserted. Defensive tackle Christian Barmore and defensive end Milton Williams echoed the sentiment: “He’s going to put the ball where it needs to be.”

So, the good news is that every sign says Maye is up for the role. But first, Vrabel and OC Josh McDaniels will need to make sure their QB remembers to protect himself. 

For this season, the sophomore is surrounded by Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Jared Wilson, and Garrett Bradbury. But they need to step up because the young player has been sacked 17 times in five games—the second-most in the league. Yet, all hope is definitely not lost, as Bledsoe still has ample trust in his former teammate.

Drew Bledsoe praises Mike Vrabel

Notably, Mike Vrabel, the Patriots Hall of Famer’s first year (2001) with the team was Bledsoe’s last. Expectedly, sharing the same locker room for a whole season before winning a Super Bowl has shown the retired QB how reliable the HC can actually be. 

“Really happy for Vrabel. I’ve always loved Mike. We were only teammates for one year together, but it felt like we were teammates for like five or six years,” he said while describing their relationship. “I knew when Mr Kraft let go of Jerod Mayo, I knew he was going to hire Vrabel. Happy for that organization.” 

Coming to be known as a players’ coach, Vrabel has managed to lead the Pats to 3 victories. They are now 2nd in the AFC East. In fact, their 3-2 start is the best they’ve had since 2019. As noted by DeMario Douglas, “The culture’s different here.”