Tom Brady comments on Drake Maye’s future with the Patriots
The Patriots legend shares his thoughts on the new rookie quarterback playing in New England.
After 20 seasons with Tom Brady on the roster, the New England Patriots are accustomed to brilliance at quarterback. However, in the four seasons after his departure, the squad has unable to match his success under center. After spending the third-overall choice in the 2024 NFL Draft on North Carolina’s Drake Maye, many are hoping things changes.
When speaking with NBC’s ProFootballTalk, Brady offered encouraging comments regarding the rookie quarterback and his future in Foxboro.
I’ve heard excellent things about him. But his chance will be defined by how he uses it, how he develops it, and how he approaches his job, as we all do. It is not where you are when you are 22, but who you are with when you are 22. Who motivates you to be better? Who develops you?
The Patriots will, of course, hope their rookie quarterback takes advantage of the opportunity, as the team has struggled to find consistency under center since Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2020 offseason, including a now-traded-off first-round pick in Mac Jones, who was the team’s primary starter the previous three seasons.
With a new third-round pick invested in Maye and a new coaching staff in place, can the team unearth their next star quarterback in the former North Carolina Tar Heels?
Maye checks the boxes, but it’s up to New England to unlock it.
It is tough to ever doubt the comments of one of the greatest NFL players of all time. Maye’s success, like that of every other rookie quarterback, will be determined by more than just themselves. Countless examples in today’s NFL demonstrate the importance of providing young passers with solid coaching and a strong supporting cast.
| Drake Maye Career stats | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Yards | TDs | INTs | Completion % | |
| 2021 | 89 | 1 | 0 | 70 | |
| 2022 | 4,321 | 38 | 7 | 66.2 | |
| 2023 | 3,608 | 24 | 9 | 63.3 | |
The Patriots are entering a completely new era of football. Bill Belichick is no longer the head coach, the organization is looking for offensive building blocks to continue forward with their reconstruction, and the offense will be led by a coordinator with no playcalling experience. All three could have a significant impact on Maye’s growth and performance in the NFL.
While Brady is correct that the 21-year-old must be totally involved in order to make the most of his situation, there are plenty other things that remain undetermined heading into the 2024 season. However, it makes the Patriots one of the most interesting teams to watch in the coming years.
