NFL insider: Drake Maye has built 'mythical reputation' around NFL

Drake Maye had a strong rookie season for the New England Patriots, and it looks like other teams wanted to draft him. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network recently talked about how Maye has built a “mythical reputation” around the NFL.

“Drake Maye in the NFL has a little bit of like a mythical reputation,” Rapoport said, per The Patriots Pulse Podcast host Carlos A. Lopez. ” He was the guy everybody wanted in the draft. It was Caleb [Williams], Jayden Daniels, and everybody wanted Drake Maye. Everyone tried to trade up for him… I thought and we kinda being told that [the Patriots] were considering trade options.

“And then you look back on it and I don’t get the sense that they considered basically anything. I mean, they considered it, but not actually. I don’t think they were about to do anything… And then he went out and played with a not good team, without great talent, with an offensive line that should be talent — and really looked not very good, receivers that were not very good… and he looked good… [There were] a lot of reasons this [head-coaching] job was desirable. Drake Maye is the top of the list.”

Drake Maye finished the 2024 season with a 66.6 completion percentage, 2,276 passing yards 15 passing touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 13 games with 12 starts. He played in the Pro Bowl this month as he was a replacement for Josh Allen.

Drake Maye talks working with Mike Vrabel

The Patriots recently hired Mike Vrabel as their new head coach. While at the Pro Bowl, Maye spoke to SiriusXM NFL Radio about working with Vrabel during the offseason.

“[Vrabel] reached out to me, and we got on the phone. He’s been awesome. Obviously, a guy who’s done it, played in the league, and won a Super Bowl,” Maye told Sirius XM, per the Patriots’ official website. “You have a respect for what he’s done and seen what he’s done. I think the biggest thing is he’s been a head coach and knows what it’s like. So excited to get up to New England and get things going.”

Maye also talked about working with Josh McDaniels who returns to the Patriots as their offensive coordinator. “Coach McDaniels, obviously what he’s done and the success he’s had, I’m fortunate to be able to have a guy come in who has done it at a high level and learn from him coaching one of the best ever — the best ever in my opinion — Tom [Brady],” Maye said of his new offensive coordinator.