REPORT: New England Patriots Seems Possible Destination For Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts To Benefits Star With Core Dual-Threat Skills

The success of the New England Patriots under new head coach Mike Vrabel could hinge on how Drake Maye’s development is managed, with a potential blueprint coming from the Philadelphia Eagles’ use of Jalen Hurts.

Patriots.com Senior Reporter Evan Lazar suggests the team should consider incorporating Philly’s RPO (run-pass option) package into their offense to benefit Maye. “I’d love to see the Patriots install Philly’s RPO package for Drake Maye,” Lazar noted. “Hurts gets so many easy completions that keep the offense on schedule.”

Adopting a Hurts-inspired scheme would aim to simplify Maye’s responsibilities and create manageable down-and-distance scenarios. According to Lazar, “You see so many 1st-and-10s turn into 2nd-and-3 with Philly running their option package. When you’re ahead of the chains, everything opens up—there are so many options.”

 

 

While the Patriots lack the level of talent surrounding Maye that Hurts enjoys in Philadelphia, Lazar’s suggestion has merit, particularly given how an option-based offense aligns with Maye’s dual-threat capabilities. Additionally, it’s a style of play that offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has successfully employed in the past.

Jalen Hurts a Good Template for Drake Maye

Jalen Hurts has led the Eagles to their second Super Bowl appearance in three years while running run-pass options (RPOs) more frequently than any other team in the league. Former NFL quarterback and Fox Sports analyst Chase Daniel analyzed three of Hurts’ favorite RPO plays in early December, noting that the Eagles were leading the NFL in RPO usage at an impressive 22% rate.

 

 

Daniel highlighted how RPOs can create “an easy pitch-and-catch touchdown,” which Hurts has capitalized on. He emphasized the importance of these plays for Hurts, as they also help establish the QB-run game.

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This same approach could benefit Maye, the third-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, by speeding up his development. Designing plays that create easy passing lanes and quick check-downs would help mitigate inefficiencies in Maye’s gunslinger tendencies, which led to 10 interceptions and 34 sacks in 12 starts.

Additionally, leaning into RPOs would allow Maye to utilize his mobility more effectively. As a rookie, he averaged 7.8 yards per rush and picked up 22 first downs on the ground. The Patriots should capitalize on this by incorporating more designed runs into their game plan.

Fortunately, Maye’s experience running RPOs at North Carolina, as noted by Taylor Kyles of Patriots on CLNS, makes this a viable strategy. With Chase Daniel’s deep understanding of these concepts, designing effective RPOs for Maye should be well within reach.

Josh McDaniels Can Bring Option Game Back to Offense

Having Cam Newton and Mac Jones as the quarterbacks for back-to-back seasons provided McDaniels ample opportunities to call option plays. Most of these plays were for Newton in 2020, when the former NFL MVP ran 36 RPOs, threw 13 passes, and ran 23 times, according to Pro Football Reference.

Lazar highlighted some of Newton’s standout option plays as evidence that “all this stuff is in McDaniels’s bag.”

The Patriots didn’t use as many packaged plays the following year when Jones took over as QB1. While Jones still ran 27 RPOs, he rarely chose to run.

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Maye, as a more dynamic runner, could be expected to rely on his legs more often, although he doesn’t have the same advantages as Hurts, such as Saquon Barkley, a 2,000-yard running back, or the league’s strongest offensive line.

Maye also lacks a wide receiver as physical as A.J. Brown, who turns quick throws into big gains. Brown might be on the Patriots’ radar due to his connections with Vrabel from their time with the Tennessee Titans, but it’s more likely that GM Eliot Wolf will look elsewhere for the big-bodied receiver that Maye needs.

With better personnel and concepts tailored to his strengths, Maye could experience success similar to Hurts’ in his second year.