Vrabel: Drake Maye ‘large part of the reason’ why he joined Patriots

"I think you have pretty much everything in the playbook that you could possibly want available."

Drake Maye impressed as a rookie during the 2024 season. (Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff)

March 25, 2025

2 minutes to read

The Patriots still have a long way to go when it comes to re-establishing themselves as contenders in the AFC.

But new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel believes that New England’s ascension as a growing power in the league remains on track with Drake Maye in place at quarterback.

During an appearance on OutKick.com’s “Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich,” Vrabel stressed that Maye’s potential made New England an appealing destination this offseason, beyond Vrabel’s obvious ties to the franchise as a former player.

“I see a young, athletic, talented, full-of-potential player,” Vrabel said. “Excited to build this team around (him) and a large part of the reason why I wanted to be here. And just that talent level, to be able to build around him and to be able to grow and help him and lead and run an offense and run a football team is something that I’m excited about.”

The Patriots still have work to do when it comes to surrounding Maye with stronger personnel along the offensive line and at wide receiver.

But Maye’s own unique skill set should give offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels plenty of options as he tries to build up a New England offense that ranked 31st in the league last season in yards per game (291.9) and 30th in points per game (17.0).

“He can throw from in the pocket, he can throw off platform, he can run, he can scramble,” Vrabel said of Maye. “You can design some things for him. So I think you have pretty much everything in the playbook that you could possibly want available.

“He’s not just a pocket passer. He’s not just a guy that’s going to run. So there’s a lot of different ways that we’re hoping that he can be successful.”

Vrabel is not the only new Patriots coach who is excited to work with Maye. New QB coach Ashton Grant spoke highly of him during the Patriots’ draft party at Gillette Stadium last weekend.

“This guy is a next-level thinker,” Grant told the fans in attendance of Maye, per MassLive’s Karen Guregian. “He’s well-rounded. I think there’s no better quarterback you’d want in your franchise.”

Grant, who hails from Connecticut and played football at Worcester’s Assumption University, noted that former Patriots OC Alex Van Pelt and QB coach TC McCartney also held Maye in high regard.

“They were always blowing my phone up, talking to me about how awesome Drake Maye was as a rookie,” Grant said, adding: “When this opportunity presented itself, it’s something I jumped on as quickly as possible. I mean, this kid is going to be special. He has all the talent in the world.”