Drake Maye stunned the NFL and analysts in 2024, and his rookie season may pay dividends for the Patriots.
New England bought the No. 3 choose of final yr’s draft proper, however the remainder of its roster choices didn’t repay. The Patriots employed Mike Vrabel as head coach to steer the ship in the fitting route, and Maye’s affect may assist the crew’s rebuild.
“Drake Maye within the NFL has a bit of little bit of like a legendary status,” NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport instructed Phil Perry on the “Subsequent Pats Podcast,” per NBC Sports activities Boston’s Nick Goss “He was the man all people wished within the draft. It was Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and all people wished Drake Maye. Everybody tried to commerce up for him, and the Patriots, you recognize, I assumed, and was form of being instructed, that they have been contemplating commerce choices. And you then look again on it, and I don’t get the sense they thought-about principally something. I imply, they thought-about it, however like, not really. I don’t assume they have been about to do something.
“… I feel there have been a variety of the explanation why this Patriots (head coach) job — which I feel was at all times most likely going to go to (Mike) Vrabel — a variety of causes this job was fascinating. Drake Maye is on the prime of the record.”
The Patriots will command essentially the most cap house of any NFL crew this upcoming offseason. One huge downside they’ll face is attracting potential free brokers. The attract of enjoying with Maye will assist, and Rapoport supplied extra optimism that New England can have a greater offseason in comparison with final yr.
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“It’s robust, as a result of I do know they tried final yr, took a variety of huge swings in free company — Calvin Ridley and simply a variety of them,” Rapoport mentioned. “And I don’t know that they bought significantly shut. I feel (Brandon) Aiyuk they have been in on if I bear in mind accurately. No one knew (what Maye could be), and no person desires to go to a nasty crew and not using a quarterback.
“Effectively, now they’ve bought a quarterback. Are they a fantastic crew? No, they’re most likely nonetheless a yr away. Though, as we’ve discovered from the (Washington) Commanders, should you’ve bought a man and also you encompass him with a extremely good group of middle-class free brokers, you can also make your roster higher shortly. I feel it’ll be a greater spot in free company. …”
Maye reportedly bought his want of offensive coordinator selection, and the Patriots could be finest suited to do no matter they’ll to assist out the 22-year-old in his sophomore season.
