Drake Maye versus Aaron Rodgers. One labeled as a future star, the other a grizzled veteran hoping to recapture past glory.

Is Drake Maye the Patriots’ future star QB?

He’s got the physical traits NFL GMs love: tall, big arm, and the mobility to extend plays for improvised routes or gain first down yardage with his legs.

Against the Steelers, both the arm strength and scramble ability was on display – he made “NFL Toolkit” throws over the middle to Patriots’ Tight End Hunter Henry, and he extended drives with his scrambling ability.

He also made the mistakes young QBs make. The most devastating one was the end-zone interception late in the first half that ended a 19-play drive with no points. After 19 plays, the team deserved points!

So what? Give me the big, strong-armed QB doing his best to deliver the ball on time and make plays, because that is what star QBs do – superhuman stuff that we dreamed about watching NFL Films back in the day. (Wait, sorry – that’s probably just me and a few others out there. Kids today have it so much better with all the options to consume sports.)

The main takeaway from this game is that Drake Maye isn’t good enough to overcome five turnovers and lead his team to victory. Few can. But, he is on the path to stardom – I’m on the bandwagon.

Can Aaron Rodgers still carry a team?

Aaron Rodgers can still absolutely sling it – just don’t ask him to scramble a long way for a first down or take too many hits while delivering the ball in the pocket. Hey, I don’t blame him for the desperation hot potato throw under the doom of a collapsing pocket, but the people signing his check expect more.

He reminded everyone of MVP Rodgers with three masterful throws:

• A second-quarter touchdown pass to DK Metcalf with pinpoint placement.
• A frozen rope to Jonnu Smith on third down in the first quarter.
• A tie-breaking back-shoulder touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III in the fourth quarter.

Unfortunately for Rodgers and the rest of his teammates, those three throws comprised his set list – barely enough for an opening act that was fueled by five turnovers. He threw for 139 yards.

I’m afraid this is a preview of what is to come. Rodgers can provide a small sample size of majestic throws, but winning football requires the steady beat of third down conversions, and that is where the magic fades.

Categories: NFL

Tags: aaron, drake, football, maye, new england, NFL, patriots, pats, Pittsburgh, rodgers, sports, steelers