Why Patriots Are Confident In Drake Maye ‘Advantage’ For AFC Title Game
New England Patriots players believe Drake Maye can lead them to glory.
The 23-year-old quarterback has taken massive strides as an MVP finalist in his second season. Maye can steer New England back to the Super Bowl with an AFC Championship Game win over the Denver Broncos this Sunday.
Some teammates feel Maye is ready for the moment. NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe shared comments from DeMario “Pop” Douglas lauding Maye’s demeanor at the end of last Sunday’s AFC Divisional Round victory.
“Pop Douglas, the receiver, told me Drake Maye was cool, calm, unrattled,” Wolfe said. “And they really got an unshakeable energy on the last drive this past week through their quarterback. And he said, ‘That’s the biggest jump he’s made in Year 2. He was trying in Year 1, but he wasn’t quite knowing how to lead every guy in the locker room.'”
Douglas noted that Maye caters his communication approach to each player to get the most out of everyone.
“‘He treats every guy in a different frequency. He won’t yell at Stefon Diggs the way he yells at me, but that’s my preferred style. I want you to get on me,'” Wolfe recalled Douglas saying.
Milton Williams won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles last season. The defensive tackle watched Jalen Hurts take home the Big Game’s MVP award, and he expressed confidence in Maye’s ability to do the same.
“‘Drake is hungry. I definitely think he has what it takes to be a Super Bowl MVP-type quarterback,'” Wolfe recalled Williams saying. “So, they think they have an advantage at quarterback here. A guy that’s ready to lead them into the moment.”
The AFC Championship Game starts Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on CBS.