What Has Mike Vrabel Meant To Drake Maye? Patriots QB Gives Funny Answer

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye seemingly have formed one of the top head coach-quarterback pairings in the entire league.

So, after the Patriots defeated the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round Game at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, the second-year signal-caller was asked what Vrabel has meant to him during their first year together.

“Yeah, I think he challenges me,” Maye said after throwing three touchdowns in the 28-16 victory. “He challenges me really every day, every day in practice, every day, every time I come back from the sideline from a drive, he’s always got something to say.

“It’s not like it’s — it’s usually something meaningful and that’s worth something. Trying to listen to him as much as I can. I know he’s played in some big games like this. It’s cool when you can see his emotion on his face when he’s not even playing, he’s coaching, and how much he cares for us how much he cares for each of us personally. I think he pushes me to be the best I can be. One of the best thing about Coach, he coaches hard, but he also cares about us a lot. I think that goes a long way. Coach Vrabel, he’s a constant now.”

Maye couldn’t help but laugh during his synopsis on Vrabel, as well.

“It’s hard when I’m sitting right here, where my man is with the camera, in team meetings,” Maye said. “He’s (Vrabel) got a sarcasm that haven’t really figured out 100 percent yet.

“He’s got a little tough sarcasm where I want to laugh, but you don’t really want to. I think he’s a big dude, too. I respect somebody that, shoot, looking me in the eye, and he’s always got something to say, and I think it’s always something that is either funny or helps the team and helps us win.”

Vrabel’s coaching strategy clearly has played an impactful role in New England’s turnaround after back-to-back four-win seasons. And now the Coach of the Year front-runner has an MVP candidate in Maye and the Patriots one win from Super Bowl LX.