Josh McDaniels explains hoe Drake Maye has grown as a leader

FOXBOROUGH — In the beginning of final season, the Patriots weren’t even certain if they may play Drake Maye behind the offensive line that that they had in place.

Quick ahead to 12 months two, and Maye is a bona-fide MVP candidate. He’s not only a starter, he’s the man. Quarterback is a place that requires management abilities, and the Patriots wouldn’t be the place they’re at with out large enchancment from Maye.

Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was requested about what he’s seeing from Maye by way of development in his management abilities on Thursday earlier than observe.

“Fairly a bit. I’d say his confidence,” McDaniels stated. “He was very effectively conscious of his standing however he additionally needed to go on the market and win and sort of convey that together with him. I believe it’s lots simpler to steer if you’ve had success and also you’ve been a major contributor to that.”

“All people knew he was the quarterback, all people liked his persona and he’s obtained unimaginable character and relationships across the constructing,” McDaniels added. “I believe he needed to be affected person sufficient with that to attempt to have success and actually attempt to step ahead as a frontrunner. He has accomplished that, and I believe you possibly can inform by his confidence, the best way he speaks to different guys by way of making an attempt to work collectively to enhance some facet of our offense.”

The Patriots have developed into one of many league’s best offenses with Maye on the helm, a surprising transformation contemplating that they completed within the bottom-three of the league in scoring in 2023 and 2024. They’re seventh in that class this 12 months.

The quarterback has taken a hands-on strategy to main this turnaround, interacting with teammates constantly.

One indicators of development that stood out to McDaniels about Maye’s development was the quarterback’s quantity. McDaniels stated he might inform how assured Maye was as a result of he might hear the best way he was pushing.

“He leads within the huddle, he leads out of the huddle, he leads on the sideline, in between practices,” McDaniels stated. “You’ll see him after a collection, typically I’m in search of him as a result of he’s strolling up and down the sideline and speaking along with his teammates which I believe is basically essential.”

“They should see him, they should really feel him,” the offensive coordinator added. “I do know [Mike Vrabel] is adamant about that too. He’s accomplished a extremely good job of understanding his position in that. We’ve seen lots of issues develop for this younger man this 12 months and definitely as a frontrunner it has been very spectacular.”

Khari A. Thompson

Sports activities Reporter

Khari Thompson covers skilled sports activities for Boston.com. Earlier than becoming a member of the staff in 2022, Khari coated school soccer for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.