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Biggest concern with Drake Maye has proven to be his strength for the Patriots

By Ryan McLaughlin

Nov 10, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) drops back to pass against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
Nov 10, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) drops back to pass against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images / Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
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Leadership is a quality that cannot be coached, no matter the level of the sport. You either have it or you don't, and it's a trait that many National Football League quarterbacks aren't blessed with. That's why the Patriots are fortunate they caught lightning in a bottle in rookie signal caller Drake Maye.

Maye is only 22 years old, but he's playing with the poise of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. He's thrown for 954 yards and seven touchdowns in just five starts while rushing for 221 yards and a touchdown. If you're curious, Mac Jones, who started the 2023 season for New England, threw ten touchdown passes a season ago.

Maye should have no problem surpassing that with seven regular-season games remaining.

Many teams' pre-draft concerns about Maye were his age. He only started two full seasons at North Carolina and lost his senior year of high school football due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Maye played 26 games over his final two seasons with the Tar Heels, and nobody questioned his talent.

The hiccup was, how could he command an NFL huddle? Would his age hinder is development?

Drake Maye's natural leadership and maturity are some of his best traits as an NFL quarterback

As it turns out, Maye has done just fine with that during his short time in New England. That was on full display in the Patriots' 19-3 win over the Bears in Chicago last Sunday. He has silenced those critics with his command of New England's offense.

A subtle sign of that came at the end of the first half of Sunday's win when he calmly gathered his team into a formation to spike the ball with time running out, a situation that most rookie quarterbacks struggle with. Maye clocked the ball with one second to spare, with the Bears offsides, and Joey Slye was able to give the Pats three points.

Maye has won over the Patriots' locker room and, along with it, the respect of Super Bowl champions. After striking out with Jones, the Patriots have clearly found their franchise quarterback.

The team is 3-7 and in last place in the AFC East, but no matter what happens between now and January, this season will be one of success because the Patriots have finally found the commander-in-chief of their offense for the next generation.

And at the center of that is the leadership and command of this 22-year-old signal caller. You won't win over your locker room by staying in the shadows, and Maye is definitely not afraid of the spotlight. If he can get some help this offseason - which is New England's biggest priority - think of how dangerous this offense will become over the next couple of years.

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