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Drake Maye responds to Giants Pro Bowler’s criticism of being ‘too poised’
"Shoot, I’m not 100 percent [sure] what that really means."
As Drake Maye works towards becoming a top quarterback in the NFL, he’s started to learn that criticism comes with stardom.
After last week’s drama with Cam Newton and Stephen A. Smith from ESPN’s “First Take,” Maye has now been talked about by New York Giants edge rusher Brian Burns. But as Burns questioned Maye’s processing ability ahead of Monday’s Giants-Patriots matchup, Maye was deferential to the Giants standout’s remarks.
“Shoot, I’m not 100 percent [sure] what that really means,” Maye said in a press conference on Wednesday. “I try to keep my eyes down the field while feeling pressure, I think that’s part of playing the position, just trying to make the right play. I know he’s a great player, and he’s had a great year, so [I’ll] just try to have feel of where he’s at.”
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Earlier in the week, Burns had said that Maye be a bit “too poised” in a seemingly strange criticism of the Patroits’ quarterback.
“I’m not really too sure yet about how quick he is to process everything,” Burns said when asked about Maye. “He does seem to be poised, maybe a little bit too poised. … At times, he’s so caught up in making the right play or getting so caught up in his routes downfield, he just forgets about somewhat of who’s rushing him.”
Of course, being poised is typically a compliment for a quarterback, especially one who’s only in his second season. But Burns’s remark seemed to be more of a dig at Maye than anything.
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Maye is third in the NFL in sacks taken this season with 37, and has previously stated that he’s aware he can be prone to holding onto the ball for too long.
However, Maye is first in a different, positive statistic: passing yards. Maye has thrown for 3,130 yards so far, on his way to leading the Patriots to a 10-2 record and the current top seed in the AFC.
Burns, meanwhile, is a two-time Pro Bowler, earning that honor while with the Panthers in 2021 and 2022. After getting traded to the Giants in March 2024, Burns is on pace for a third Pro Bowl selection. He’s currently second in the league in sacks with 13.
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