The 2025 New England Patriots emerged from the depths of NFL oblivion in 2024 to a remarkable 14-3 season. One player from their past, whose opinions carry a lot of weight, is current Patriots' Hall of Famer and should-be Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Julian Edelman.
And he likes what he sees from Patriots' young quarterback, Drake Maye. He calls him "hungry" and also "confident, a term recently applied to the Patriots by Edelman's former teammate, Tom Brady.
And why shouldn't he? Maye has taken the NFL by storm, beaten the best, reigning MVP Josh Allen once (it should have been twice), and has staked his own claim to that highest of the NFL's personal awards. Maye is a prodigy, and for one team to have two within a 25-year or so span is patently unfair ... that is, unless you are a card-carrying member of Patriot Nation.
Recently, the former Patriots' phenomenal returner/receiver, Edelman, chimed in on what he sees in the young Patriots quarterback, Drake Maye. Keep this in mind, Julian Edelman is a football player's football player. He went from a seventh-round draft pick to the pinnacle of NFL success.
Julian Edelman sees something in Drake Maye that can't be taught
Julian Edelman has to be one of the favorite players of many in Patriot Nation (don't neglect Tedy Bruschi!) during the past two decades. While TB12 has to be seen as the catalyst for the Patriots' dynasty era, how can anyone not appreciate the prodigious achievements of Julian Edelman?
Edelman came from Kent State as a quarterback, transformed himself first into a masterful punt returner, and then, into a Pro Bowl-caliber or better NFL wide receiver - regardless of whether he ever received those accolades or not. He was a true NFL star.
During a recent appearance on FS1's "The Herd," Julian Edelman discussed what he sees in Drake Maye that's uncommon for young quarterbacks.
"'I think it’s his attitude. Just talking to people over there, everyone talks about how he’s so hungry to be coached, he’s so hungry to learn, and it translates into how he looks when he’s playing. He looks so confident, he makes it look so easy. And I think his relationship with Josh McDaniels has been awesome.'"
Attitude is not a trait that can be measured like completion percentage, touchdowns, or yards per catch. Yet, to a player like Edelman, assigning that moniker to a player has to be looked at as a badge of honor. The reason is that Edelman's career was, to a large extent, based on "attitude.
Julian Edelman's comment has long-range implications for the second Patriot Dynasty
Drake Maye has matured in his second season. After a difficult rookie season in which he was kept from first-team reps until Week 4, Maye still performed well enough to complete 66% of his passes, throw for 2,276 yards and 15 touchdowns against 10 interceptions, and earn a Pro Bowl berth. His attitude and thirst for knowledge have fueled those outstanding achievements.
In 2025, he's taken his game to a whole new level under Mike Vrabel and Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels. An MVP candidate, Maye threw for 4392 yards, 31 touchdowns against only eight interceptions, and completed an astonishing 72 percent of his passes.
The second-year quarterback led the Patriots from the bottom of the AFC East to the top in one season. Now it's onto the playoffs to see if the 2025 Patriots can repeat what the 2001 team did. With Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye around, anything is possible.