Bill Simmons shared his thoughts on Drake Maye’s emergence

Invoice Simmons is hyped about Drake Maye: With Drake Maye main the resurgent Patriots to a 6-2 begin to the season, it’s in all probability not an enormous shock that one of many extra distinguished New England followers in media is savoring the success.

Invoice Simmons, former “Boston Sports activities Man” and founder/CEO of The Ringer, took a victory lap within the wake of the Patriots’ latest 32-13 win over the Browns.

“I’ve by no means seen a quarterback throw the deep ball higher than this,” Simmons mentioned of Maye throughout a latest episode of his eponymously-named podcast. “He doesn’t miss ever.

“When we have now a man down the sector and he’s obtained a step, Maye hits him in stride, it seems like 90 p.c of the time,” added the longtime sports activities persona.

Simmons might have provided a barely optimistic appraisal of Maye’s sliding (one thing which Vrabel has cited as an ongoing level of enchancment for the younger quarterback). Nonetheless, his evaluation of Maye’s downfield passing is totally on level. The younger QB leads the league in most completions of 20 yards or extra.

Not everyone seems to be thrilled by the event. Simmons’ good friend and co-podcaster, Sal Iacono (referred to as “Cousin Sal”) couldn’t assist by sarcastically notice the brief time period the Patriots have been rebuilding for the reason that departure of Tom Brady.

“It’s miserable. This shouldn’t be occurring for you,” Iacono joked. “It is best to have a Cleveland Browns state of affairs the place you [have] worse than middling quarterbacks for like 25 years. It’s loopy you get proper again on the horse like this.”

“We served our six-year penance,” Simmons claimed.

Trying again on the 2024 NFL Draft, Simmons claimed he couldn’t consider it was controversial that Maye would grow to be an excellent quarterback.

“I believe it’s crazier that there was such adamant debate about him heading into that draft,” mentioned Simmons. “Heading into that draft, some folks have been like, ‘This man’s going to be a bust. This man’s like Mitch Trubisky. He has the instruments, he’s not going to have the ability to put it collectively.’ I used to be all in on him, however he’s means higher than I assumed.”

Simmons’ recollection of his ideas on the Patriots’ choice to choose Maye third total is generally correct. Although he consistently reiterated his need (and later, approval) for New England to choose the then-North Carolina quarterback, Simmons did entertain the notion of possibly trading the pick to the Giants. Finally, the Patriots determined to stick with the decide, and selected Maye.

“To be this good at this age with this few video games, and to be this dramatically higher than you have been a yr in the past while you had no coach, no weapons, no blocking,” Simmons defined of Maye. “They don’t have the best blocking, however it’s OK. The weapons are higher, and he’s simply means smarter about every part.”