New England Patriots - NESN.com
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was impressive in many ways during Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he continued a bad habit by making one crucial throwing error.
With just 12 seconds remaining in the first half, and with the Patriots on the Pittsburgh two-yard line in an amazing position to score, Maye threw a bad ball intended for Kayshon Boutte that was intercepted by the Steelers’ Brandin Echols.
Thus, despite Maye ending up 28-for-37 on the day with 268 yards and two touchdowns, the untimely interception stood out like a sore thumb in the summary of his performance.
While Maye is still only 23 years old and clearly a high-level talent, his tendency to sprinkle a crucial error into a collection of other winning plays is something that definitely annoys fans and analysts alike, not least of all The Ringer’s Bill Simmons.
During a new episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, following Sunday’s NFL slate, Simmons and guest Cousin Sal were discussing Maye’s shortcomings when Sal decided it was time to let Simmons know about a new nickname he had created for Maye.
“He’s not too young for me to give him a nickname that you’re not gonna love,” Cousin Sal told Simmons. “You ready? Drake ‘Maybe’. You gotta say like, Drake ‘Maybe’, right? He may be good.”
“That’s so good,” Simmons replied, laughing, while also looking defeated. “I’m never gonna call him that, but that’s really good. … I feel like that might stick unless he can shake it.”
“Just don’t have your one terrible play (per) half,” Simmons continued. “I’m a complete believer. I have an incredible amount of Drake Maye stock, but he just can’t help it.”
Maye’s season has been a mixed bag, but the future is still undeniably bright. After three weeks, the former North Carolina QB has five passing touchdowns, two picks and 785 passing yards to the tune of a 101.3 QB rating.
Maye will have another chance to play mistake-free football on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium.
