Bill Belichick sounds alarm for rookie QBs after Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams' Week 1 performance
Former NFL coach Bill Belichick spent yesterday analyzing football from afar instead of occupying his usual sideline position. Belichick and the New England Patriots parted ways after the 2023 season, and the 72-year-old didn't entertain offers from other teams.
After evaluating Week 1 from an analyst chair, Belichick was unimpressed by the quarterback play. He noted that rookies Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix and Caleb Williams averaged less than three yards per pass yesterday.
Belichick said:
"I'd say the big thing to take away for me was the lack of overall production in the passing game. So eight quarterbacks had an under 75 quarterback rating this pass length. Like Jayden Daniels, his average pass length was less than two yards. Nix was a little over two yards. Watson was a little over two yards. Murray was a little over two yards. That's the average pass length.
"Caleb Williams was three yards... But it looked like there was a number of teams that really couldn't throw the ball for one reason or another, whether that was protection, guys not being open, whether it's quarterback execution, overall team execution. And again, those teams are really going to have to work on that to be competitive in this league."
Daniels completed 17-of-24 passes for 184 yards and rushed for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Williams completed 14-of-29 passes for 93 yards. Nix completed 26-of-42 passes for 138 yards and two interceptions. He added a rushing touchdown in the Broncos' loss to the Seahawks.
Bill Belichick doesn't seem impressed by Patriots rookie quaterback Drake Maye
Speaking of rookie quarterbacks, New England Patriots rookie Drake Maye didn't play yesterday, as coach Jerod Mayo named Jacoby Brissett the starter heading into the season.
During his new show, Coach on Underdog Fantasy, Belichick gave his thoughts on the rookie North Carolina quarterback.
Bill Belichick said:
“You like his size and you like his arm. I think his inexperience really showed up in the preseason, as it did a little bit at North Carolina. And I think that he needs a lot of seasoning in terms of reading coverages, overall throwing mechanics and consistency. Is he a big, fast athlete? Yeah, but I think it’s going to take more than that to be ready to play quarterback in the National Football League.”
Maye was the third overall pick and the third quarterback selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. Some expected him to enter the season as the starter, but Mayo and the Pats elected to go with the veteran Brissett.
Do you think Maye will see the field as a rookie in 2024?