Drake Maye has received countless endorsements from New England Patriots' legends over the course of his second year as the Patriots' quarterback. One of the biggest has come from three-time Super Bowl champion Ty Law, who recently declared that the franchise has its QB.
In the wake of Sunday's 42-13 pounding of the Carolina Panthers, the praise for the signal-caller has continued to pour in. But this time, it has come from Maye's boyhood hero.
Growing up in Charlotte, N.C., Maye idolized Cam Newton and was a Panthers fan. Maye even recalls Newton's MVP season in 2015, when he led the Panthers to Super Bowl 50. When Maye scored his first touchdown on Sunday, he paid homage to his hero with Newton's patented "Superman" celebration.
And of course, that drew praise from Newton, who spent the 2020 season in New England.
Cam Newton approves of Drake Maye’a “SuperCam” Celebration. 🫡
— Grayson Mann (@gray_mann21) September 28, 2025
From one former Patriots QB to the future of the franchise. pic.twitter.com/hlZxeEcxJ3
Drake Maye's endorsement from former MVP could be a great sign
Maye went on to say that the energy and passion that Newton brought to the field have been impactful on his own career, and the Patriots' second-year quarterback possesses some of the same traits in terms of how he can use his arm and legs as a weapon.
In no way are we suggesting that Maye will be the next Cam Newton. Newton was an MVP, and I'll die on the hill that if he didn't test positive for COVID during the 2020 season, he would've led the Patriots to the playoffs.
However, the fact that Maye has looked up to a quality player such as Newton is a positive sign. Like Maye, Newton was a freakish athlete with a cannon of an arm, and he gave the Carolina franchise relevancy. That mirrors what Maye is trying to do in New England in terms of bringing the Patriots back to the NFL's elite.
The Panthers steadily churned their way up the NFC in Newton's early years, posting a 12-4 record and making the playoffs in Newton's third season. The Patriots appear to be on a similar trajectory, and with the way injuries are bedeviling some of the AFC's contenders, the team could find a way to sneak in this season if they continue to play well.
And it all starts with a second-year quarterback who has a great boyhood hero to look up to on and off the field.