Drake Maye praises Jacoby Brissett’s leadership through QB transition
"He's been one of the best teammates that I've ever been around."
While Drake Maye has undoubtedly been the highlight of the Patriots’ season, his rise to the starting role didn’t come without its casualties.
Dethroning New England captain Jacoby Brissett in just six weeks could have led to some awkwardness between the veteran and the rookie. However, Maye revealed to Steve Burton in a Patriots sit-down interview that that was never the case.
In fact, Maye and Brissett continue to have a strong friendship as Patriots teammates.
“It’s been awesome with Jacoby,” Maye told Burton. “He’s been one of the best teammates that I’ve ever been around, and a mentor to me. Learning how to study the call sheet and how to be a quarterback and the responsibility that comes with being a quarterback for the New England Patriots.”
Maye mentioned how the dynamic of other quarterback rooms can change when there’s a quarterback switch, but Brissett’s classy reaction made sure things never got to that point.
“From the first time that I was announced as the starter he came in and said ‘Hey Drake, this is part of it, and it’s not going to make this awkward’. I think from that moment on I kind of knew what type of teammate he was,” Maye said. “… Our quarterback room, we always try to keep the vibes up.”
Brissett and Maye certainly kept the vibes up during the Patriots-Colts game; Maye’s mic caught Brissett gushing over a touchdown pass to Austin Hooper that was perfectly placed, which Maye smoothly brushed off as a “nice catch.”
Maye has impressed many through his first eight starts, passing for nearly 1,700 yards and 11 touchdowns, while completing over 67 percent of his attempts. However, while Maye acknowledged he hears the praise, it doesn’t mean much to him until New England starts building up wins.
“I think the biggest time that I hear it is at the games, I think the fans are awesome,” Maye said. “I think hearing that, don’t get on your high horse, don’t get too high, don’t get too low, and realize that my play has to turn into some wins at some point. And I think that’s the biggest thing for a quarterback.”
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