3 days ago
Drake Maye talks about comfortability in New England's offense ahead of second NFL season
Drake Maye talks about comfortability in New England's offense ahead of second NFL season Will Drake Maye take a "Sophomore Leap" in his second NFL season?
During his two seasons as the North Carolina Tar Heels' starting quarterback, Drake Maye showcased why he'd be an NFL star for years to come.
Maye burst onto the scene in 2022, earning ACC Player and Rookie of the Year Honors. When Maye's UNC career ended, he amassed 8,018 passing yards and 63 passing touchdowns, while also running for over 1,200 yards and 16 touchdowns.
The New England Patriots, in desperate need of a franchise quarterback since Brady's retirement, chose Maye with the third overall pick of 2024's NFL Draft. While New England struggled to its third-consecutive losing season last year, Maye showed glimpses of being "the guy."
On Monday afternoon, after one of the Patriots' final spring practices, Maye spoke to the media about his comfortability – in his team's offense – entering the fall.
"I think we're catching the stride; I think I'm starting to find a stride," Maye told ESPN's Mike Reiss. "I'm bummed out we're about to leave (for the summer), but it's fun. I feel like I've done a good job of trying to keep the football in our hands, and that's one of our key focuses. It's good for us to install plays, get a feel for what I like. Coach (Josh) McDaniels has been awesome about asking what I like and what he expects from me on certain plays. So it's been good to be able to get that outside and on the field."
Maye ended his rookie NFL season with 2,276 passing yards, 15 touchdown and 10 interceptions, plus 421 rushing yards and two additional scores.
Your first chance to see Maye in a New England uniform this coming season comes August 8, when the Washington Commanders come to Gillette Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff, as part of NFL preseason action.
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