Patriots' new QB 'not going to be Tom Brady,' 'just going to try to be Drake Maye'

After all the trade speculation had subsided, the New England Patriots stayed put at No. 3 and selected a quarterback in the first round for the second time since the Tom Brady era’s end.

North Carolina’s Drake Maye will succeed Mac Jones, a 2021 first-rounder, as the club’s hopeful next franchise quarterback.

Shortly after becoming a Patriot on Thursday night, Maye clarified that he does not aspire to be the next Brady, but rather, he wants to carve out his own path.

“Tom Brady is the greatest of all time,” Maye expressed during his post-draft press conference, as reported in the team transcript. “It’s straightforward to state that. He’s the best there has ever been in this game. I won’t become Tom Brady. Thus, I’ll strive to be Drake Maye, and from that point, I’m attempting to learn from him, and hopefully, get to know him a bit more. Aside from that, I’ll just absorb as much as I can, like a sponge, and learn everything possible from him. He’s the hero of that town.”

While Maye would love to take some time under the Brady learning tree, he also expects to gain plenty of knowledge from veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett.

Brissett was briefly teammates with Brady in 2016 before he was shipped out of Boston to Indianapolis. Brissett rejoined the Pats this offseason as a likely bridge to their hopeful QB of the future, which is now Maye. Maye knows Brissett a bit already, as the two met through Sam Howell, a teammate of Brissett’s on the Washington Commanders last year and a former Tar Heels teammate of Maye’s.

“I can’t wait to learn from him,” said Maye. “I’m aware he’s a seasoned veteran with a lot still to offer on the field. I’m eager to contribute in whatever capacity needed, I’m excited to meet him, and I know he’s really something special.”

It remains uncertain who will be the leading man in Week 1. Will the Pats immediately play the rookie, or will they allow Brissett to guide him at the start of the season?

Concerns about Maye revolved around the decline in his production and performance in 2023, following a standout campaign in 2022.

He finished the year 2022 by completing 66.2% of his passes, throwing for 4,321 yards, and scoring 38 touchdowns with seven interceptions.

In the year 2023, he successfully completed 63.3% of his attempts, covering 3,608 yards, making 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

The talent around Maye decreased in large part from one season to the next, and now he’s joining an offense that was simply dreadful last season to the tune of ranking 31st in points scored and 30th in yards. Though the Pats have a new offensive coordinator in Alex Van Pelt, the only real skill position free-agent acquisitions of note have been K.J. Osborn and Antonio Gibson — hardly eyebrow-raising adds. Thus, it doesn’t look on paper to be an ideal situation for a rookie QB. Maye dismissed that theory.

“Personally, I believe they’re mistaken,” Maye expressed. “Last year, our defense successfully limited many teams to low scores, and I’m eager to contribute offensively in any capacity. I’m also excited to work alongside Coach Mayo in his inaugural year – congratulations to him. However, I don’t believe many share my sentiments. Hopefully, the forthcoming season will provide clarity. I’m committed to working diligently with my teammates to disprove them.”

Maye’s fiery spirit is sure to invigorate an offense that’s been stagnant for the past two seasons. He is clearly driven by a desire to prove his critics wrong.

Therefore, if there are any questions about his struggles stemming from a lack of skilled individuals around him, he is aiming to address that too. He views elevating those around him as a vital aspect of his role.

“He stated, “I believe that being a quarterback involves being the face of the team. Everyone looks up to you, and it’s my duty to personally know the players. I think that’s the most significant aspect – authentic relationships. That’s essentially what fuels me. I make an effort to genuinely understand the players because the same approach may not work for everyone.”

As a top-three pick rookie, I believe it’s important to remain humble. My primary focus should be on my performance on the field and winning games, as that’s the reason why I play. I have a deep love for football and winning. However, the most significant aspect for me is my disdain for losing. This applies to anything I participate in, not just football.

Since Brady’s departure after the 2019 season, the Patriots have been on the hunt for a QB to rejuvenate their offense. Maye, while not aspiring to be the next Brady, hopes to be the upcoming QB that steers the Patriots back to their former glory.