Former NFL QB makes bold claim on Drake Maye as Rookie of the Year

Dan Orlovsky makes a great point….

ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky believes New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye should be in the running for Offensive Rookie of the Year, if the award was based on play alone.

The North Carolina product stood out once again in last week’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. He recorded 282 passing yards and two touchdowns on the day. It was only his sixth NFL start in a season where he has compiled 1,236 passing yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions.

The 22-year-old signal-caller certainly stands out in a rookie class that is talented at the quarterback position.

“He won’t win it because his team isn’t good enough. But just talking about the play—-Drake Maye would absolutely be right in the OROY conversation,” Orlovsky posted on the X platform.

Maye’s development has taken a major step forward since the start of the season. He has been one of the few constants on an offensive unit in flux right now.

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Former Super Bowl-winning coach calls Drake Maye ‘superstar’ in the making

Jon Gruden is completely sold on Drake Maye in the NFL

Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden had high praise for New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye.

Gruden, who now works at Barstool Sports, is famous for his quarterback evaluations. His “Gruden’s QB Camp” television series was a must-watch for football junkies everywhere.

He has seen his fair share of talented quarterbacks over the years, and he boldly endorsed Maye during a segment with Barstool.

“Drake Maye is going to be a superstar. Drake Maye is going to be everything you’re looking for. Five-star—badass. He’s a horse, man,” said Gruden.

Maye has been receiving praise from several figures around the league. From Patriots legends to his teammates, the buzz is alive and well for the third overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft.

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Drake Maye reacts to ongoing struggles for Patriots rookie WR

Drake Maye still has confidence in Ja’Lynn Polk.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye stuck up for wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, as the rookie continues to struggle.

Polk had a false start penalty that proved to be crucial during the Week 11 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The penalty occurred on a fourth-and-inches play late in the fourth quarter, which forced the Patriots to kick a field goal instead of having an opportunity to go for it.

Polk did not record a single catch or a target in the game. He has 11 catches for 80 yards and two touchdowns on the season. It isn’t exactly the start the team had in mind when using a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft on him.

Despite the early struggles, Maye still has confidence in Polk to figure things out.

“Just keep going. I think he’s gonna be a great player in this league. He’s a rookie, like myself. We’re going to have some good games as Patriots together,” Maye told media members. “So looking forward to keeping him going, and I think he’s getting thrown in there different times and throwing in to block some. I think he’s gotta pick up some little things, but he’s a great player and I need to find a way to get him the football.”

Polk has struggled on a Patriots team that needs all of the help it can get at the wide receiver position. His development and progression as a second-round draft pick will be important for the team’s future. 

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Matthew Stafford admits Patriots QB Drake Maye is ‘hell of a talent’

Matthew Stafford was impressed with Drake Maye

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford praised New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, after a hard-fought 28-22 win over the Patriots.

Stafford had one of his best games of the season. He went 18-of-27 on the afternoon, throwing for 295 yards and four touchdowns. He cracked the Patriots’ defensive secondary for big yardage.

Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp both had big games with 100-plus rushing yards each.

Stafford admitted to feeling impressed with Maye, who kept the Patriots in the game. The rookie went 30-of-40 passing for 282 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. The veteran gave him a shout-out following the game.

“It was fun to watch Drake play today. I think he’s a hell of a talent. Seems to have his head on right, and he’s going to be a really good player for a long time,” said Stafford.

Rams coach Sean McVay also had heavy praise for Maye after the game, calling him a “stud” and a “special” player.

This all sounds good for the rookie quarterback, but it’ll be up to the Patriots to ensure Maye continues to have a solid developmental track of progression.

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Jerod Mayo strongly swats down controversial ownership-Drake Maye report

Jerod Mayo addressed the report that ownership sought outside help with Drake Maye’s development

New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo strongly swatted down a recent report that team ownership has looked outside of the organization for help in developing quarterback Drake Maye.

Mayo has consistently pointed to offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt as the one spearheading Maye’s development under center. So the report that ownership potentially colored outside of the lines raised more than a few eyebrows.

“We continue to sit here and say he’s developing at a good trajectory. Can we all agree on that? So all of those reports are false,” Maye said, when appearing on “The Greg Hill Show.” “They’re all false. None of those reports are true. Once again, it’s almost like talking out of both sides of our mouths.

“We’re sitting here saying he’s developing great, and to sit here and the story comes out that people are asking around how to develop a quarterback. …When you hear one person, ‘Oh, Drake’s not developing.’ Another person, ‘Oh, Drake’s had great plays.’ Who do you think is responsible for that? It’s Alex Van Pelt.”

Maye has played like an Offensive Player of the Year-worthy quarterback. Even given the many limitations on offense, he has opened things up in ways the Patriots haven’t seen since Tom Brady was under center.

His incredible on-field play has negated one of the worst offensive lines in football and a lacking cast of wide receivers. Even Super Bowl-winning head coach Sean McVay was left impressed by Maye’s performance after the Los Angeles Rams’ 28-22 win over the Patriots in Week 11.

“He looks like a stud. …He looks like he’s gonna be a special player for a long time, and he gave us fits today,” said McVay.

What Rams head coach said about Drake Maye after Patriots’ loss

Rams coach Sean McVay called Drake Maye “special” after Sunday’s game

Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay had high praise for New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye following the Rams’ 28-22 win over the Patriots on Sunday.

It was a stellar performance by Maye, who went 30-of-40 passing for 282 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He put the ball on receivers in tight windows, including an early touchdown dart to wide receiver Kendrick Bourne in the first quarter.

From there, he got into a rhythm and gave the Rams’ defensive line fits all afternoon.

“You can really see his ability to create plays off schedule. I thought he did a great job of being able to make plays in the pocket today, extend drives,” Rams coach Sean McVay said about Drake Maye after the game. “I thought he was patient, taking some underneath checkdowns where guys were able to create. We had some tighter coverages. and he was able to fit the ball into tight windows.

“He looks like a stud. I didn’t do too much work on him coming out, but I do know that a lot of people that studied him really hard, that I truly respect their opinions loved what he was all about. You can see the impact that he has on his teammates. The way people talk about him here. He looks like he’s gonna be a special player for a long time, and he gave us fits today.”

Sunday’s performance was another step in Maye’s development, despite the loss. People around the league are beginning to take notice of what he can do, including a Super Bowl-winning coach like McVay.

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WATCH: Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne snags Drake Maye touchdown pass

Drake Maye and Kendrick Bourne got the scoring going early

The New England Patriots scored the first touchdown of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Rookie quarterback Drake Maye connected with veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne for the score. The touchdown ended a seven-play, 77-yard drive that took 2:34 off the clock. It was Bourne’s first touchdown of the season, and it came a week after he was benched.

It was Maye’s eighth touchdown pass of the year on a day that saw him start off passing 7-of-9 through the air.

Maye has looked more in control of the offense each week he’s been under center. On this drive in particular, he did a great job of utilizing the few receiving weapons available to him, and it culminated into a touchdown reception for Bourne.

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Patriots OC comments on ownership seeking outside help for Drake Maye

Alex Van Pelt commented on the recent report that ownership sought outside help for Drake Maye’s development

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt commented on the report that ownership was seeking outside help to develop rookie quarterback Drake Maye.

The report came out on Wednesday and indicated that the organization had asked around the league for help with the quarterback’s development. Van Pelt was viewed as the coach who would work the closest with Maye, which was a role that was established early on.

The rookie has put together five solid starts for the Patriots, tallying 954 passing yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions.

Van Pelt appeared on the “Jones & Keefe” Show on 98.5 The Sports Hub on Friday and offered his viewpoint on the report.

“I don’t read anything or see anything that’s out there in the press,” said Van Pelt. “I mean, I’m sure, we’ve got a lot invested in the guy. I think I have a good feel on how to get him ready, and I think it’s showing so far. Not worried about that at all. I’m here to develop Drake Maye, and that’s what I’m gonna do.”

Maye appears to be on an upward trajectory, and Van Pelt’s influence can be seen in his development. The bond between an offensive coordinator and first-year quarterback is generally something that isn’t wise to shake up.

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How Drake Maye could be well on his way to proving he’s the best QB in the 2024 draft class

Drake Maye might just be the best quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft class, something that’s become a widely spread opinion to this point in the NFL season.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye might just be the best quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft class, something that’s become a widely spread opinion to this point in the NFL season.

The former UNC Tar Heels signal-caller was originally selected at No. 3 overall by the New England Patriots and has impressed in the six games he’s taken the field for, completing 64.7% of his passes for 954 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions.

He also totals 233 rushing yards and one rushing score.

Those stats aren’t exactly indicative of a world-beater, but they are solid for a rookie signal-caller in Maye’s position. And what they don’t reflect is the level of comfortability in the offense already, arm strength, grit and pure leadership ability.

And at this point, he’s shaping up better than the likes of Caleb Williams and co., though some would debate on candidates like Jayden Daniels.

Former Patriots legend Drew Bledsoe is among those who are sold so far on what Maye brings to the table. Bledsoe went so far as to say that Maye had a buit of Joe Burrow to his game.

“He seems to have great composure about him and when you’re a rookie quarterback that can be hard, because everything is faster,” Bledsoe said in a one-on-one interview with RG.

“Being a rookie quarterback in the NFL, it’s a little bit like sticking your head in a popcorn machine with all the popcorn going out there, just falling all over the place. And this happens so fast, you’re trying to decide. He seems to have a calmness about him that allows him to perform with the chaos around him.”

He can spread the ball around, but when he pulls it down, he’s actually got some wheels. That’s important in today’s game. He reminds me a little bit of Joe Burrow, he seems to be kind of crafty, sees things pretty good, runs around a little bit. It reminds me a little bit of Joe.”

It will be interesting to watch how Maye continues to progress as the Patriots face the Los Angeles Rams up next on the schedule at at 1 p.m. ET in Gillette Stadium.

Patriots legend raves about rookie QB Drake Maye’s potential

Ty Law sees major potential in Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye

New England Patriots legend Ty Law has been impressed with how rookie quarterback Drake Maye has captained the offense through his first five NFL starts.

The North Carolina product has recorded 954 passing yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions on the season. He has also showcased his scrambling ability with 233 rushing yards on the year.

Law is one of many starting to take notice of Maye’s incredible potential as the Patriots’ future franchise quarterback.

“His escapability has been really impressive to me,” Law said, as transcribed by NESN.com’s Tim Crowley. “I didn’t know he had that type of escapability. Being able to use his legs. He threw some nice passes. From a decision standpoint, he’s just going to get better and better. I think that is our quarterback of the future.”

It remains to be seen what Maye will be able to accomplish throughout the rest of the season.

So far, he appears to be developing at a high level throughout his rookie campaign, and he looks to be a solid building block for the future. At the very least, he has caught the eye of a Patriots legend.

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