In 1993, the New England Patriots turned a dismal 2-14 record into a rebuilding opportunity by hiring Bill Parcells and selecting Washington State quarterback Drew Bledsoe with the first overall draft pick. Bledsoe, anointed as the franchise savior, faced high expectations and a daunting lineup, featuring a weak offensive line and limited receiving threats. Thirty years later, Drake Maye finds himself in a strikingly similar situation with the Patriots, carrying hopes as the team’s potential new franchise quarterback.
Bledsoe, who grew up with a father who coached football—much like Maye—sees himself in the young quarterback’s journey. Despite running a successful wine business, Bledsoe has been closely following Maye’s progress, especially impressed by Maye’s athleticism and composure in his four starts.
“I really like what I’m seeing,” Bledsoe told MassLive. “He’s got good composure and surprising speed.” Bledsoe also praised the Patriots’ approach in allowing Maye to watch a few games before taking over as starter, saying, “It took the heat off him a bit.”
Bledsoe’s advice for Maye? Keep it simple. “Just play ball and focus on what you can control,” he advised. With a challenging season still unfolding, Maye has already shown grit and accountability, and Bledsoe believes he has what it takes to handle the pressures of being a franchise QB.
But Bledsoe also had advice for the Patriots’ front office: improve the roster around Maye. “The team needs more pieces over the next couple of years to really help him out,” he noted, pointing to the offensive line and receiving corps as areas needing attention.
With each snap, Maye’s journey continues to draw comparisons to Bledsoe’s, adding hope that he might just be the next Patriots QB legend in the making.
