Drake Maye turned heads around the NFL during his rookie season with the New England Patriots, earning recognition from a Hall of Fame quarterback in the process.
Peyton Manning, who served as the AFC coach for this year’s Pro Bowl Games, had high praise for Maye, who was named to his first Pro Bowl as a replacement for Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
“Drake is very accountable. When things go well, he credits his receivers and linemen. When things don’t, he takes responsibility,” Manning told reporters. “He threw what could have been the game-winning touchdown but missed the two-point conversion. That’s all he talked about afterward—the one he didn’t get. I respect that. I like guys who are honest and take ownership.”
Maye was consistently commended for his poise and leadership throughout a difficult 4-13 season, earning respect for how he handled adversity.
“You can tell he’s a natural leader,” Manning added. “And when you watch him throw, his arm strength stands out, along with his athleticism. The fact that he played so much as a rookie will only benefit him moving forward.”
Despite the Patriots’ struggles in 2024, Maye was a bright spot in an otherwise tough season—one that ended with Jerod Mayo being fired just 90 minutes after the team’s Week 18 win over the Bills.
Now, with Mike Vrabel as head coach and Josh McDaniels returning as offensive coordinator, Maye looks to take a significant step forward in Year 2 as the Patriots embark on a new chapter in Foxborough.
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