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Maye is about to become one of the most scrutinized professional athletes in American sports. Boston sports fans demand excellence, and they will not settle for anything than they’re accustomed to seeing at Gillette Stadium. Maye has real potential to be a franchise quarterback for New England, but like quarterback Mac Jones, he’ll be playing in the colossal shadow of Tom Brady. This will all play out in the first year after Bill Belichick’s departure, too.
We’re not sure if Maye will start or not this fall, as this New England team isn’t seemingly close to meaningful contention. However, New England fans will want to see Maye as soon as possible. Fair or not, the North Carolina product has the unbelievably lofty responsibility to become Brady’s heir apparent and to bring back Super Bowls to a fan base who grew accustomed to them. As much as is riding on Caleb Williams to finally give the Chicago Bears a franchise quarterback, Maye will be expected to give the Patriots a new Brady. No pressure, right?