The New England Patriots are witnessing a promising evolution in quarterback Drake Maye’s leadership as he prepares for his second season in the NFL. Following remarks from head coach Mike Vrabel and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf during the offseason, cornerback Christian Gonzalez recently shared insights about Maye’s growth in this critical area.
In a conversation on NFL Network, Gonzalez expressed confidence in Maye’s ability to enhance his leadership skills. “I feel like he’s really made that leadership change,” Gonzalez stated, according to Lauren Campbell of MassLive. He noted that Maye has become more vocal and engaged, adding, “He’s speaking a lot more, using his voice more and we really appreciate it.” Gonzalez highlighted Maye’s drive for improvement, saying, “The best thing for him is he always wants to get better. He’s never satisfied.”
Despite a challenging start to the season, with a 20-13 loss against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1, Maye’s resilience was evident in the following game. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels reminded fans that Maye is still a “young quarterback” learning from experience. The quarterback responded effectively, completing 19 of 23 pass attempts for 230 yards and two touchdowns in a thrilling 33-27 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Week 2, where he also rushed for a touchdown.
Maye’s leadership was further exemplified during the summer when a video of coach Vrabel encouraging him to celebrate a touchdown went viral among Patriots fans. After scoring against Miami, Maye displayed his team-first mentality by handing the ball to offensive lineman Michael Onwenu. “I was running to congratulate him, and he said, ‘Here, I’m not going to celebrate,'” Onwenu recounted to reporters, according to Karen Guregian of MassLive. Onwenu appreciated the gesture, describing it as “dope” and added, “So I spiked it.”
As the Patriots prepare to host the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 17, 2023, both Maye and his teammates aim to build on their recent success. Currently, ESPN BET has the Patriots listed as 1.5-point home underdogs against the Steelers. With Maye’s developing leadership, fans are eager to see how the season unfolds.
