After another impressive performance in Sunday’s 31-13 win over the Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots second-year quarterback Drake Maye is starting to earn the respect of the rest of the NFL.
“For the first time, football people view Maye as possibly being a guy,” an executive from another team told The Athletic’s Mike Sando. “He has always looked the part because of his measurables, but the game had not slowed down enough for him to develop that stuff.”
Maye put himself in elite company in Sunday’s win, breaking Patriots legend Tom Brady’s single-game, regular-season franchise record for completion rate by going 21-of-23 for 222 yards and two touchdowns to help New England stay atop the AFC East with a 5-2 record. He also added 62 rushing yards on eight carries.
Maye’s play this year has shown that the coaching staff led by Mike Vrabel has the utmost confidence in putting the game in his hands.
“His development is earning a loose leash from Vrabel and Josh [McDaniels],” another coach told Sando while monitoring the New England game on TV.
The coach pointed to Maye’s highlight plays during a 93-yard touchdown drive against Tennessee, particularly his 22-yard pass to Mack Hollins while facing pressure.
“That explosive (pass) to Hollins was (Aaron) Rodgers-like,” the coach said. “… He stands in there, gets his ass kicked and still delivers an accurate ball.”
Maye will try to keep the momentum going when he leads the Patriots against the Cleveland Browns in Week 8.
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