New England Patriots - NESN.com
Drake Maye has drawn several lofty comparisons throughout his second-year breakout, but none of them had ventured into the squared circle.
WWE superstar Seth Rollins continues to contribute as an NFL Network analyst while on the shelf. Before the New England Patriots played the New York Jets on Thursday night, the multi-time champion drew a parallel between Maye and one of his esteemed wrestling colleagues.
“I was actually gonna liken him to a young Randy Orton,” Rollins said. “And I say that because there’s a ton of potential there. A ton of potential, and now you’re starting to see the actualization of that potential.”
For those unfamiliar with wrestling, that’s high praise.
One of the most accomplished wrestlers of this generation, Orton has remained a staple at the top of the WWE ladder for the last two decades. He’s won 14 World Championships, tied with Triple H for third all-time behind the retiring John Cena and Ric Flair.
“The Viper” entered the WWE with all the tools to flourish. While his ascension encountered some early turbulence, Orton nevertheless became the youngest World Champion in WWE history when he won the title at age 24 in 2004.
Maye could complete the comparison by becoming the youngest starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl if the New England Patriots hoist the Lombardi Trophy this February. Perhaps he could even embody Orton’s old “Legend Killer” gimmick by eliminating the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen en route to an AFC crown.
Rollins noted that all the hype surrounding Maye and the Patriots could take a hit if they stumble against the Jets on Thursday night. He’s eager to see if they prove themselves as legitimate contenders.
“At this point in the season, we’re gonna get an opportunity to see,” Rollins said. “Is this team, is he the real deal?”
