Hall Of Famer Questions Patriots For Playing Drake Maye After Concussion

Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach Jimmy Johnson didn’t agree with the New England Patriots’ decision to start Drake Maye on Sunday, one day after the rookie quarterback cleared NFL concussion protocol.

Johnson made that clear during FOX Sports’ pregame coverage before the Patriots faced the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.

“I understand they want to get Maye ready for the future. But why are they playing him?” Johnson said. “They’re not going to the playoffs! If he has another concussion, they may not have a future.”

Maye suffered a concussion in New England’s win over the New York Jets last Sunday. Maye was limited in practice during the week and progressed through protocol before he was cleared Saturday.

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters earlier this week that if Maye cleared the league’s protocol he felt comfortable with the third overall pick starting in Tennessee.

Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who started the first five games of the season, replaced Maye against New York and led the Patriots to two fourth-quarter scoring drives en route to the win.