Pats Pulpit
What signals improvement for Drake Maye in 2026?
Typically, statistics are fans’ primary driver in their assessment of a player’s individual impact. Although strong numbers are a byproduct of effective play, it doesn’t always capture the growth between snaps or behind the scenes.
The New England Patriots quarterback concluded last season second in 2025 MVP voting, with 4,394 passing yards, 31 touchdowns to eight interceptions, and another 450 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He also ranked first in the NFL in several advanced metrics, including total QBR and total EPA generated.
Even though Maye was one vote shy of the award, he was ranked just the eighth-best signal caller by more than 70 league coaches, executives and scouts in an ESPN survey.
One veteran NFC defensive coach called Maye “really talented” but said they need to see more of it over time.
A repeat in MVP contention is difficult for any quarterback, let alone improving on that production. As Maye becomes more experienced, and whether or not he progresses statistically, he could excel in other areas behind closed doors and simply based on the eye test.
Maye and the quarterbacks reaching another level in their understanding of the offense was a common theme among offensive coaches during the spring practices.
At the mandatory minicamp sessions, coordinator Josh McDaniels increased the offensive tempo, focusing on sharpening how the signal callers quickly diagnose the defense and operate in pressured scenarios. New England’s starter knows “a hell of a lot more than he did last year at this time,” according to McDaniels.
“We’re trying to weaponize Drake’s mind, and all the quarterbacks’ minds,” quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant said during minicamp. “As opposed to just being throwers of the football, we want them to be operators of the offense.”
In a McDaniels-schemed offense, quarterbacks completely orchestrate the attack at the line of scrimmage, setting the run checks and protections while fully dissecting the defense in front of them before even making a decision.
There’s no doubt Maye has the tools to flip any play in the Patriots’ favor. The bigger question entering 2026 is whether he can expand his command of the offense as McDaniels continues adding to a system that places significant responsibility on the quarterback.
One of the main cogs of New England’s 2025 turnaround was Maye’s elevation of a receiver room with many question marks, which was headlined by Stefon Diggs returning from an ACL tear. Diggs had a revitalizing season and became the franchise’s first 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman in 2019, and Kayshon Boutte had a career year as Maye’s favorite deep target.
Next season, all eyes point toward A.J. Brown, who’s coming off a down year in Philadelphia, to excel with Maye at the helm and supply a revamped group with an elite presence.
But as the third-year quarterback continues to master the next step of McDaniels’ offense, he’s taken on a role helping teach...
