Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
NFL Hall of Famer offers up high praise for Drake Maye
"I've been more impressed watching him the last couple of weeks than even I was in the preseason."
Drake Maye has only logged two full games with the Patriots since being named the team’s QB1.
But the third-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has already sparked plenty of hope in Foxborough thanks to his dynamic play.
While the rookie’s status for Sunday’s road game against the Titans remains unclear after suffering a concussion last week against the Jets, Maye has already stuffed the stat sheet over his limited reps.
Along with completing 63.1 percent of his passes for 564 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions, Maye has also burned defenses with his legs — gaining 114 rushing yards (8.8 yards per carry) while running in for a touchdown against New York last week.
Advertisement:
Maye’s sample size is admittedly small since taking over as New England’s starter. But NFL Hall of Famer and former league MVP Kurt Warner has liked what he’s seen from the Patriots’ promising young QB.
“I’ve been more impressed watching him the last couple of weeks than even I was in the preseason,” Warner said during an appearance on NBC Sports Boston’s “Next Pats Podcast.” “Just his ability and timing in terms of getting the ball out, seeing things and getting the ball out in rhythm I think is better, or has been better the last couple of weeks, than I expected, based on what I saw in college and even some of the stuff that I saw in preseason.
Advertisement:
“So I’ve been impressed with what Drake has done. His ability to see the field and process information and, as I said, get the ball out on time — it hasn’t been perfect and it’s been twofold.”
Warner acknowledged that Maye has gone through some expected growing pains when it comes to his mechanics and making the proper reads in game situations.
He also referenced that the Patriots have struggled at times with putting the proper system in place to cater to his strengths, especially when it comes to spacing.
But Warner added that Maye has made sizable improvements, especially during New England’s eventual loss in London to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“Against Jacksonville in that game, I thought he processed information really, really well and did some really good things in that game,” Warner said of Maye. “And then, of course, not a whole lot of time this past weekend, unfortunately. Hopefully, he bounces back quickly from the concussion. But again, you’re just seeing some really good things in him.
“He’s not putting the ball in harm’s way and making bad decisions. I want to see him slide a little bit more. He doesn’t have to make every extra yard when he’s scrambling. But I have been more impressed with what I’ve seen the last couple of weeks from him than I expected to be at this point in his career.”
Advertisement:
Even if Maye has the makings of a potential franchise QB, the Patriots will still need to surround the 22-year-old QB with a strong supporting cast in the coming years if New England plans on re-establishing itself as a true contender in the NFL.
But for all of the talk of New England needing to add a left tackle and a proven No. 1 wideout via the 2025 NFL Draft, trade, or free agency, Warner did offer a retort.
New England might need an injection of skill across several areas of its depth chart. But the Patriots also aren’t going to get the most out of Maye and a revamped roster in 2025 and beyond if the coaching staff isn’t crafting a system that plays to their players’ strengths.
“When you ask what kind of players to put around Drake Maye, I think the bottom line is if you’ve got a good quarterback, it doesn’t matter the kind of players that you have,” Warner said. “It’s more about figuring out what those players do well and putting them in positions to succeed, running concepts that they’re really, really good at.
“Putting those guys into places on those concepts where they can excel is the most important thing. … It’s so much understanding what the skill set of your players are, not necessarily finding one that fits this particular mold. It’s finding good players and then being able to mesh your system to what those players do well.”
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com