New England Patriots
“He’s very proficient throwing the soccer, and I believe he’s obtained some swagger to him.”
Drake Maye has not shied away from sharing his affinity for Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers through the years.
Regardless of now enjoying for the workforce that was led by Tom Brady for 20 years, Maye has acknowledged that he was an enormous fan of Rodgers rising up — particularly throughout the future Corridor of Famer’s prime years with the Packers.
Even after New England’s loss to Rodgers and the Jets in Week 3 of the 2024 season, Maye declared that he was “ready for the GOAT” because the then-New York QB was wrapping up a postgame interview.
Maye could have one other alternative to face off in opposition to his childhood idol on Sunday when the Patriots host Rodgers and the Steelers at Gillette Stadium.
“You get to the age of beginning to actually love watching soccer. He gained the Tremendous Bowl, and I used to be most likely simply watching my first Tremendous Bowl, they usually gained it,” Maye said Wednesday of Rodgers. “He’s very proficient throwing the soccer, and I believe he’s obtained some swagger to him.
“He’s particular how he throws the soccer. I keep in mind watching it final yr when Jacoby [Brissett] was enjoying, and [the Patriots] had been enjoying on the Jets. I used to be watching him heat up. It’s one thing you don’t take without any consideration, somebody who throws the soccer that method.”
Maye’s admiration of Rodgers goes past his manufacturing on the gridiron, as he admitted that he’s mimicked features of his sport and mechanics even earlier than his high-school profession.
“Shoot, it’s laborious to emulate the best way he spins it. I imply, he spins it with the most effective of ’em,” Maye mentioned. “Shoot, I keep in mind in eighth grade, I used to be enjoying baseball and completely different sports activities. I regarded up grip, learn how to maintain a soccer. So I regarded up Aaron Rodgers’ grip and I’ve had the grip ever since.”
Whereas Maye’s robust arm and talent to achieve yards on the bottom has led some to compare him to Josh Allen, the Patriots QB mentioned that he nonetheless seems to be over Rodgers’ sport tape so as to choose up pointers about how greatest to conduct an offense and preserve defenders guessing.
“Simply little issues,” Maye mentioned. “I believe his play fakes are unbelievable. I believe the best way he will get defenders — he obtained somebody final week on a play faux. And simply his depth. His cadence is among the greatest within the league. I’m not gonna get that this early in my profession, however attempt to work in direction of it. He’s so good at drawing guys offsides and profiting from large performs.
“Like I mentioned, particular expertise, transferring guys, transferring defenders and throwing into tight home windows. It’s fairly cool to observe.”
Maye is perhaps star struck on Sunday when Rodgers is out on the sector, however New England’s QB can also be trying to construct some momentum after submitting his greatest efficiency as a professional throughout the Patriots’ Week 2 win over the Dolphins.
“We simply felt like we left quite a bit on the market,” Maye mentioned of New England’s response on offense after a lackluster exhibiting in Week 1 in opposition to the Raiders. “I believe we, like I mentioned, got here with some fireplace in Week 2. You’ve obtained to maintain that mindset.
“It begins out right here in apply. It begins this week. Simply carry it, realizing that on this league, you’ve obtained to carry it each week. It’s a brand new workforce. We’re enjoying at house in entrance of our personal followers, so attempt to get one. It’s a brand new week. We’ve had completely different success this previous week, and simply obtained to attempt to emulate.”
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