(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The Patriots wrap up the regular season on Sunday at home against the Buffalo Bills and while Patriots fans would love to see the team throw the game away and secure the number one pick in April’s draft, it does not appear that the team shares that sentiment.
Quarterback Drake Maye is slated to start the game despite being a limited participant at practice this week with a hand injury. Personally, I think the Patriots should sit him but it does not appear that they will. So how should the Patriots approach this? Here’s my suggestion.
Activate all three quarterbacks divide up their playing time as follows.
Drake Maye: Maye should play the first two series and he should be pulled halfway through the first quarter. You already know what he can do from a developmental standpoint. DO NOT play him anymore than you have to. It is all about year two for Maye moving forward.
Jacoby Brissett: Brissett should play the rest of the first half. In what is more than likely his last game as a Patriot, it would be a good opportunity for Brissett to get some reps so that he can showcase what he still has left in the tank for other teams around the league. Brissett will still be a sought after veteran back up this off-season. If he can put some stuff on tape, it would help him.
Joe Milton: All of New England wants to see what Joe Milton can do so he should play in the second half of the game. Not only that, but let him sling the ball and cut it loose. The Patriots need to see what they have in Milton. He could potentially be their back up quarterback next season. With a solid performance on Sunday, Milton could also be a possible trade candidate. Although that is highly unlikely. Nonetheless. Sunday serves as an opportunity to evaluate Milton and see if he can play and produce in a regular season game.
The Patriots are “playing to win” on Sunday but that is hard to believe given the injury report this week. It is hard to tell if Maye will start and that is mostly because we cannot trust what Mayo says leading into games. For now, we are assuming he starts but how long he plays tendons to be seen. Hopefully it is not more than two series.