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Drake Maye credited two mentors during rookie season, says he’s spoken with Mike Vrabel
"We've got a great fan base and we’ll figure it out."
While the Patriots‘ 2024 season was a disappointment from numerous standpoints — most importantly the team’s overall 4-13 record — one of the few successes was the integration of first-round pick Drake Maye into the team’s offense and the NFL in general.
Maye, 22, largely exceeded expectations and displayed immense potential that New England fans hope translates into a better record in future seasons. Part of Maye’s introduction to the league was (as it is for any rookie) simply learning how to be a professional. And from that standpoint, he recently credited both fellow quarterback Jacoby Brissett as well as former special teams ace Matthew Slater.
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Speaking during an interview with Sirius XM NFL while at the Pro Bowl Games, Maye had nothing but praise for Brissett, but also mentioned Slater. The longtime special teams star retired following the 2023 season but remained in New England as a special assistant to then-head coach Jerod Mayo.
“Not only Mr. Jacoby Brissett. I think Matthew Slater was great,” said Maye. “He was an All-Pro for all those years, a great, great guy to have in the locker room. Great guy. He helped around as a coach, and is a great mentor, follower — in all aspects of life he was awesome.”
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Slater played for the Patriots for the entirety of his 16-year NFL career. During that time, the former fifth-round pick excelled at his less-heralded position. He made two First Team All-Pro appearances (along with three Second Team rosters) and notched 10 Pro Bowls.
As for Brissett, who Maye started the year behind before surpassing on the depth chart a few weeks into the season, the younger quarterback paid tribute to his colleague’s acumen and professionalism.
“It was awesome to get behind [and] obviously, study behind Jacoby,” Maye explained. “Have a [veteran] in the room to learn how he studied the play sheet, learn how he kind of handled the locker room. It was awesome for me to get experience that he was a great veteran. He was great to have in the room.”
As for the team’s outlook beyond the ’24 season, Maye is optimistic.
“We’ve got a great fan base and we’ll figure it out,” he said. “We’ve got some more games to win, but it was a great learning experience this year.”
Regarding newly-appointed head coach Mike Vrabel, Maye said he’s already been in contact.
“He reached out to me, we got on the phone,” Maye said of Vrabel. “He’s been awesome. Obviously a guy who has done it, played in the league, won [three] Super Bowls. You have a respect of what he’s done and seen what he’s done. I think the biggest thing is he’s been a head coach and he knows what it’s like. So excited to get up to New England and get things going.”
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