Drake Maye Offers Interesting Insight On Working With Josh McDaniels

The Patriots started their offseason program last month, and it sounds like Drake Maye is busy working to become the star New England hopes he can be.

Maye’s sophomore season didn’t start under ideal circumstances. The 22-year-old had to get to know a new head coach and offensive coordinator, which means a new scheme to learn. However, it doesn’t sound like Maye went through a tough transition and had been studying tape of a franchise legend.

“Yeah, it’s been great. The guys last year I really enjoyed, and so far with (Josh) McDaniels, it’s been awesome,” Maye told reporters Thursday, per the Patriots. “He’s been an offensive coordinator, a head coach at a high level. His stuff works. The proof is in the pudding. He’s coached a lot of different guys. He’s coached the best that’s ever to do it. It’s been pretty cool to watch old things of Tom (Brady) and see how he does it. A bunch of different guys played at a high level in the offense, not just Tom. It’s been cool to watch, and I’m kind of learning the ways and learning the ins and outs of it.”

Maye offered small details that indicated he’s been watching tape of McDaniels’ offense to garner a visual idea of what’s expected of him. During the final weeks of the Alex Van Pelt era, Maye was given more control of the offense, and he’s embracing that power even more with McDaniels calling plays.

“I think the ball’s in my hands, I think you want that,” Maye said. “I hold the pin last. That’s what they say. I think that’s what you want. I get the best view back there. Me and maybe the running back, especially in the gun, but even under center, you get the best view of the defense. And you’re the one that has to know where everybody’s at, know really what everybody’s doing. …”

McDaniels admitted last month that he was “smitten” with Maye, and the quarterback’s assessment of the offensive coordinator’s style should be music to fans’ ears. It only served to increase the anticipation of seeing the QB on the field again, especially after a successful NFL draft.