New England Patriots - NESN.com
Before Bill Belichick went to coach North Carolina, Drake Maye took the opposite path from Chapel Hill to Foxborough.
Maye will hope the New England Patriots start their 2025 season better than his alma mater. The Tar Heels began the Belichick era with a sobering 48-14 home loss to TCU on Monday night.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, per the team transcript, Maye insisted he’s not worried about North Carolina’s rough start.
“I wouldn’t say (I’m worried) yet. I wouldn’t say yet,” Maye said. “It was tough watching that Monday night. That first drive looked good, but I’m counting on those guys and coaches, and I’ll be tuned in all season.”
Maye didn’t play under Belichick, whose 24-year-old run with the Patriots ended right before they made Maye the No. 3 pick in last year’s draft. However, the quarterback encountered the six-time Super Bowl champion when visiting his former school over the spring and summer.
The 23-year-old discussed Belichick and the Tar Heels during a radio interview Tuesday on “WEEI Afternoons.” Maye is confident the Patriots icon will get the program back on track.
“First off, was honored to meet him. What a legendary coach,” Maye said. “They’ve got a bunch of new players in the program, and they’re figuring it out in college football. But, I got no doubt … what he’s done in the past, and his proof of being a winning coach is going to unfold.”
Belichick will seek his first college victory when UNC plays Charlotte this Saturday night. The next day, Maye and the Patriots kick off their season at home against the Las Vegas Raiders.
