How Patriots OC Josh McDaniels Evaluated Drake Maye’s Offseason Development

Drake Maye is already learning another new offense this offseason.

Following an encouraging debut, last year’s No. 3 pick will work alongside a new regime in Foxborough. The New England Patriots replaced head coach Jerod Mayo with Mike Vrabel, who brought back Josh McDaniels to resume the offensive coordinator role he held under Bill Belichick.

Per ESPN’s Mike Reiss, McDaniels offered an encouraging review of Maye’s early-offseason progression.

“He’s doing really well. He’s very smart. Works really hard,” McDaniels said. “He’s doing a really good job of digesting the information, processing the corrections when there is a correction to be made, and going out there with a great attitude and mindset the next day.”

Quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant also praised Maye’s assimilation.

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“I think Drake is doing a helluva job with a change from one offense to a new offense,” Grant said. “He’s been a pro’s pro. He’s been super intentional with everything we’ve asked him to do, so I couldn’t be happier with where he is right now.”

Reiss noted that Vrabel introduced a drill during New England’s voluntary team activities that placed extra responsibility on his young quarterback. With the offense lined up at the goal line, they all sprinted on the snap count after Maye yelled out the cadence.

The exercise is one way the Patriots are pushing Maye to take charge. Perhaps it’s working, as running back Rhamondre Stevenson called his 22-year-old teammate a “leader.”

“He has that kind of ‘oomph’ to him,” Stevenson said.

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Maye showed some promising signs as a rookie, completing 66.6 percent of his passes for 2,276 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He’ll look to take the next step in his maturation under McDaniels and Co. in 2025.