Potential Washington Commanders QB Drake Maye 'Will Get Your Fired,' Says Analyst

Drake Maye has become one of the more polarizing quarterback prospects in the NFL Draft. Will Washington Commanders take a risk by drafting him No. 2 overall?

Oct 14, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10). / Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports

The fate of the Washington Commanders' new regime headed by General Manager Adam Peters and Head Coach Dan Quinn's fate will likely be decided by the success of the quarterback they'll likely draft with the No. 2 overall pick.

The monumental decision has mostly been a two-quarterback race, with Jayden Daniels being the favorite, though, Drake Maye doesn't trail by much. While many are high on Maye, the 6-foot-4, 223-pound quarterback has his share of detractors as well.

Oct 14, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10). / Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports

Among those who aren't the biggest Maye fans is NFL analyst Merril Hoge. Hoge went as far as to say a team that drafts Maye inside the top 10, let alone with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft could lead to their demise.

“Drake Maye is the kind of player that will get you fired,” Hoge said on WCCO radio with Henry Lake. “Especially if you draft him in the top five or top three, he’s going to get you fired.”

Maye had a stellar 2022 season, throwing for 38 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and being named the ACC Player of the Year along with the Offensive Player of the Year. He regressed in 2023, only throwing 24 touchdowns to nine interceptons.

For any team that's interested in Maye, they'll have to get to the crux of why his numbers took a dip in his junior season. If it was just a down year and his potential outweighs his 2023 tape, then it shouldn't scare teams interested in him. But if those concerns are tough to overlook, then it could cause a team to look elsewhere to address their need at quarterback.

Second chances are rare in any profession, let alone in the NFL. For Peters, this is his first crack at running the show, while for Quinn, this is his second and likely last crack as a head coach.

If Maye's potential to become a star outweighs the chances he becomes a bust, then it's reasonable for Washington to take a chance on him. But if the odds he does or doesn't pan out are close, Peters and Quinn may be better off taking Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick.