Pats Pulpit
Garrett Bradbury met with the media after Friday’s practice to sing his quarterback’s praises.
Garrett Bradbury has seen a lot in his six seasons in the NFL. But even as a grizzled veteran, the New England Patriots’ starting center could not help but come away surprised by Drake Maye.
Speaking to reporters following Friday’s training camp practice at Gillette Stadium, Bradbury lauded the Patriots’ sophomore quarterback.
“I can’t believe how mature he is at such a young age,” Bradbury said. “I spent a lot of time with him this spring, and I have to remind myself he’s 22. He’s light years ahead of where I was as a rookie, most rookies I’ve seen. In terms of his approach, his mentality, he doesn’t act like a 22-year-old. He understands the weight of the position he plays.”
A first-round draft pick in 2019, Bradbury spent the first six years of his career with the Minnesota Vikings. Despite starting 92 games during that span, he was released by the organization earlier this offseason.
Bradbury ended up in New England shortly thereafter, signing a two-year, $9.5 million deal to replace another longtime starter — David Andrews — at the center position. While it remains to be seen whether he will keep the starting job against a push from rookie Jared Wilson, his role so far has allowed the 30-year-old to take an up-close look at Maye.
Needless to say, he has come away impressed.
“From a leadership standpoint — the way he’s commanding the huddle, the way he’s calling the team up, getting on guys in the offense in the right way,” Bradbury explained. “Like I said, he’s 22. He has a few games under his belt, so you can’t go around barking at guys, telling them what to do. He toes that line perfectly. He understands that just by the nature of that position, you have a voice, you have control, so use that in the right ways to get everybody on the same page, and we can move this thing forward.”
In their first four months together, Bradbury has tried to actively be involved in this process by providing support and leadership. And, by teaching him some tricks he picked up along the way.
“He’s always picking my brain,” Bradbury said of Maye. “I got to play with Kirk Cousins for a long time, who is phenomenal. He’s a pro’s pro, did everything the right way. So, [Maye] is saying, ‘What would Kirk think of this? What were his preparations like with this?’ Any way I can help him, that’s why I’m here, because I think everyone knows he’s got a bright future.”
