The Patriots are now one of six teams looking to find their next head coach, joining the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints, and New York Jets. There will be stiff competition for the job, as most of the teams plan to interview the same top candidates, with Mike Vrabel visiting Gillette Stadium on Thursday and Ben Johnson on Friday.
Fortunately, when comparing the pros and cons of each team, the Patriots look like the best place for any aspiring head coach to be. Not only do they have the fourth overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft and a league-high cap space to spend in free agency, but they also have perhaps the most important thing that puts them above every other team: they have their quarterback.
Although the Bears are in a similar situation with Caleb Williams, the 2024 first-overall pick, Drake Maye, is a coveted asset expected to draw head coaching candidates to Foxboro.
That is already the feeling some of his teammates have, two of whom expressed their feelings on the matter while speaking to reporters this week, and despite their clear bias, it's difficult to argue against their point.
Drake Maye could be the difference maker for the Patriots in their head coach search
With Jerod Mayo's firing fresh in the news, many players were asked about the newly announced vacancy for the team earlier this week. While speaking to NESN, Davon Godchaux emphasized his belief that the Patriots' should be the frontrunner for any future head coach, mainly because they have Maye.
The defensive tackle mentioned how important it is that the next coach mesh well with the quarterback. Since he is expected to be their franchise player, helping him thrive will be key to who the Krafts should hire.
“Most importantly, the key position in football is the quarterback. So you got to make the quarterback feel comfortable for whoever you bring in, somebody he can gel with and make sure that he takes the next step to succeed in life, and on the field.
It really has got to boil down to, ‘Who would Drake feel comfortable with?’ Because he’s the franchise quarterback.”
Godchaux wasn't the only one to credit Maye for being a desirable destination. David Andrews feels the same way, noting the quarterback as a big reason he wants to play for the Patriots in 2025, as his 2024 season was cut short due to an injury suffered in the first few weeks.
“On Drake (Maye) — a big part of the reason why I wanna come back and why I wanna play is him. I wanna get the chance to play with him. I think he gives you a chance for success.”
The positive impression that Maye has had on his teammates has been well-noted all season and should make the Patriots a more intriguing landing spot for any head coach the Krafts choose to interview, even those they don't.
It might be a tricky place to be, given their extensive history of winning championships and being at the top of the league, but they have the most important position on any team addressed, which makes an incoming coach's job a whole lot easier and less stressful.