Former NFL backup quarterback calls Patriots' Drake Maye plan a "malpractice"

The New England Patriots are taking an unconventional approach to developing Drake Maye and are receiving mixed reviews.

Head coach Jerod Mayo confirmed to reporters on Friday that Maye is taking over 30% of the starter's workouts and will continue to do so throughout the season. It's an unusual approach, but it shows how committed they are to the rookie quarterback while also serving the team in the near future with Jacoby Brissett. It's a plan rarely seen in the NFL, as evidenced by Chase Daniel's reaction.

“This is extremely eye-opening and rare,” Daniel posted on X. “I have never heard of or been part of a situation where a team's starting quarterback is not getting 100% of the required performance.”

Daniel played for seven teams in his 13-year NFL career and was one of the most capable backups, so his experience offers an interesting perspective on how the Patriots handle Brissett and Maye. When NFL analyst Matt Miller responded to Daniel's post by saying it was only a matter of time before Maye started, the Super Bowl champion was no longer convinced by the plan.

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“Just do it. This is a complete malpractice on both sides,” Daniel Miller replied.

Teams only have a certain amount of time per week to practice, so dedicating time to Maye when it's not yet known when he'll take Brissett's place seems odd. It reflects Mayo's vague attitude toward quarterbacks when he said Maye “outperformed” Brissett in the preseason, but the veteran gave New England the best chance to win.