Ben Roethlisberger entered the NFL in 2004 with the Pittsburgh Steelers and immediately made his mark as a rookie.
He led Pittsburgh to a 14-1 record that season and earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
His style became known for extending plays outside the pocket, using mobility and arm strength to create opportunities under pressure.
Former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky recently drew a compelling comparison between New England’s young signal-caller and Roethlisberger’s early years.
The ESPN analyst sees similarities in how both quarterbacks operate when facing defensive pressure and create plays through improvisation.
“Watching him (Drake Maye), it’s like watching young Ben Roethlisberger,” Orlovsky said during a segment on NFL Live.
“Watching [Drake Maye], it’s like watching young Ben Roethlisberger.”
@danorlovsky7 sees something familiar in Patriots QB Drake Maye
pic.twitter.com/S5LhrltQSk
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 21, 2025
Drake Maye is currently in his second season with the Patriots and has posted impressive numbers through seven weeks.
He has completed 75.2 percent of his passes for over 1,700 yards and 12 touchdowns against just two interceptions.
His passer rating and yards per attempt rank among the league’s best quarterbacks this season.
The Patriots hold a 5-2 record, their strongest start in recent years, with Maye playing a central role.
His ability to connect on deep passes with precision has opened up New England’s offense in ways the team has lacked recently.
Like Roethlisberger during his prime, Maye shows poise under pressure and finds throwing lanes that seem impossible.
Roethlisberger retired after an 18-year career with over 64,000 passing yards, two Super Bowl titles, and multiple Pro Bowl selections.
Maye’s early performances have generated optimism in New England, but sustaining this level of play will determine whether he can follow a similar trajectory.
The post Dan Orlovsky Turns Heads With Drake Maye Comparison appeared first on The Cold Wire.
