New England Patriots rookie Drake Maye struggled like most rookies do as a first-year starter, but there were moments this season where Maye showed promise as the Patriots QB.
Maye finished the season with over 2,200 yards passing with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Maye finished 19th overall in PFN’s QB metric with a C — not bad for a rookie.
One former Foxborough legend detailed his thoughts on New England’s signal-caller.
Rob Gronkowski Lauds Patriots QB Drake Maye
One person who was really impressed with Maye’s performance was Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski, who raved about Maye’s performance this year.
“I think Drake Maye was phenomenal this year,” Gronkowski said. “He exceeded expectations. There’s no doubt about that. Just the way he went in and how he handles himself. Just the energy, the aura that he has around him, he’s going to be a special player for quite some time. The way that he just carries himself as well.”
“What I really like about him is that he kind of just has the same background story that I have. I had brothers growing up, we fought, we faced each other, we competed against each other throughout our whole lives. Drake Maye is kind of in that same scenario as well. I feel for the type of competitor he is because of that.”
While some fans were bearish on Maye’s season and foreshadowed a Mac Jones arc with the franchise, Gronk seems to think, as do others, that Maye will continue to get better as he matures.
To boot, the team announced the hiring of Ashton Grant as the quarterback coach. “I think if you want to coordinate an offense, you have to get in the quarterback room,” Grant told USA Today’s Tom Schad. “Because that’s the only room where you’re fully engulfed in what’s going on.”
Grant joins offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels on the Patriots staff. McDaniels, as some may recall, was the OC when Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo were both on the team.
Former Patriots OC Bill O’Brien, who is now the head coach of Boston College, said having McDaniels will help Maye develop even more at the position.
“I think give it time and you’ll be impressed with what Josh can do with Drake Maye,” O’Brien said on WEE. “If you look at who he’s developed over time, even at the Patriots. (Jimmy) Garoppolo had to play. Jacoby Brissett had to play. Matt Cassel had to play. Over the course of his career, he’s been able to develop all types of quarterbacks. I think that he’ll do a great job with Drake.”
Sounds like Maye has a bright future with the Patriots.