Drake Maye opens up on what Philip Rivers has taught him in draft prep

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye has been training with QB Country in Mobile, Alabama as he prepares for the NFL Draft alongside other NFL hopefuls at the position. But he was also able to get some sage advice from an NFL veteran Philip Rivers during the process.

Rivers spent one week with Maye and other NFL QBs in training, not only helping prepare them for their future in the pros, but pushing them on the field as well following his 2020 retirement.

“He’s one of the best, he reminds me of my brothers. Loves to compete,” Maye told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “He’s out there, we’re throwing six step outs, a 10-yard drill throwing into the net, and shoot he retired two or three years ago but he still won the competition. So he’s just a competitor. Not only that, he’s just one of the guys. Gets along with people so well and knows the game.”

It’s clear Rivers still has it after throwing for 63,440 yards and 421 touchdowns in his lengthy NFL career. As Maye shared the biggest advice that he learned from Rivers through training with one of the NFL’s best.

“I think the biggest thing about Phil is he stayed healthy for so long in his career,” Maye said. “Such a long career and I think he played 17 games for like for some crazy stat, 15 straight years or something. So I just pick his brain on how he stayed healthy. He’s a big dude like me so just trying to kind of find ways to relate to him.”

“And both ACC guys, I know he went to the wrong school in the ACC, but some of that same stuff so just trying to pick his brain,” Maye joked about NC State‘s all-time passing leader. “One of the great quarterbacks.”

Maye elaborated on what Rivers taught him regarding longevity, which had nothing to do with nutrition or self-care. But instead how to play the game a step ahead to avoid unnecessary hits, and of course talk some trash in the process like Rivers famously did so well.

“I think the biggest thing with Philip is how he prepared. Preparation, knowing where he’s hot is what he talked about, avoiding hits, he’s one of the best at it, getting the ball out quick. He’d always talk about checking the ball down, don’t be afraid to check it down so just little stuff like that goes a long way from holding the ball a little longer, taking an extra hit,” Maye explained.

“And not only that, he’s just a tough son of a gun, I think that’s the biggest thing he preached,” Maye added. “He’s tough. He’ll get in there, take a hit, and get right back up, and he said he cuss, but he’ll talk a little trash. One of the best trash talkers out there so it’s just great to be around some of those guys.”

If Maye is seen making correct check-downs and talking trash on Sundays in his rookie season, we’ll know where he got it from. As one of the top prospects of the 2024 NFL Draft class continues to prepare for his first season in the NFL ahead of April’s draft.