As the New England Patriots’ mandatory minicamp winds down, quarterback Drake Maye is reflecting on his growth in his second NFL season. With the team gearing up for the start of training camp in July, Maye’s performance has been a key topic of discussion.
While he is still adjusting to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ system, Maye’s leadership, decision-making, and progress have been notable in recent practices. As the Patriots prepare for an extended break, let’s take a closer look at Maye’s evolution and what’s next for him.
Drake Maye’s Progress as a Quarterback
Drake Maye has shown considerable improvement since the beginning of the Patriots’ spring practices in late April. Despite a rough start where he threw multiple interceptions during the first voluntary organized team activity (OTA), Maye has since sharpened his skills.
He’s rarely turning the ball over in recent practices, emphasizing his commitment to protecting the football and not falling into bad habits.
“It’s good for us to install plays, get a feel for what I like. Coach McDaniels has been awesome about asking what I like and what he expects from me on certain plays,” Maye explained, highlighting his ability to adapt to McDaniels’ offensive schemes.
His focus has shifted to “taking what’s open” and not forcing plays, a key adjustment for him as he looks to avoid waiting for big plays that may not materialize.
Maye’s Leadership Development
In addition to his on-field development, Maye is also working on strengthening his leadership skills. At 22 years old, Maye has the natural ability to lead but still has much room for growth, according to first-year coach Mike Vrabel.
Vrabel has been actively helping Maye with his leadership development, including putting him in situations to practice commanding the offense. A prime example came at the end of Monday’s practice, when Vrabel had Maye call out the cadence and lead the team through a series of 30-yard sprints, simulating a live game situation.
This allowed Maye to practice projecting his voice and commanding attention from his teammates.
Maye acknowledged the challenge of stepping into a leadership role in only his second year but is determined to continue growing. “It’s an opportunity for me to take a jump from last year being a rookie trying to come in here and earn my stripes through hard work,” he said.
“This year is the same approach – you got new guys in here, new staff, keep on getting to know everybody, show my work ethic.”
A Milestone Personal Moment
Outside of football, Maye has a special occasion to look forward to. He is set to marry his longtime girlfriend, Ann Michael Hudson, on June 21, an event he plans to enjoy before shifting his full attention to preparing for training camp.
The timing of the wedding offers Maye a brief but meaningful break before getting back to his preparations for the 2023 season.
The Road Ahead
As Maye continues to refine his skills and grow into his leadership role, his next step will be focused on gearing up for training camp later this summer.
The hope for Maye and the Patriots is that he’ll not only continue to improve as a quarterback but also solidify his position as a team leader. If he can maintain his growth and the momentum he’s building, the Patriots could be in for a successful season.
With his second season in the NFL fast approaching, Drake Maye is showing a level of maturity and understanding that belies his young age. As he continues to work with McDaniels on his offensive skills and with Vrabel on his leadership qualities, Maye is positioning himself to be an integral part of the Patriots’ future.
As minicamp comes to an end and the offseason continues, it will be exciting to watch how Maye evolves in the coming months.
