Drake Maye is a rookie in the NFL, but the New England Patriots quarterback is ready to step up and become more of a leader for his teammates.
“I think as a big thing as a quarterback, you need to lead these guys. I think I need to say more. I need to be more positive on the sideline and pump people up and fly around,” Maye said during his weekly appearance on WEEI. “(Alex Van Pelt) always preaches, ‘Pick people up once they’re on the ground or getting tackled.‘ And I think I need to show some of that for myself and not just (being) the quarterback standing in the back.
“So I think it comes as the season goes on — not trying to come in there and be the rah rah guy right when I get the nod as a starter,” Maye added. “But it comes with playing football and making plays.”
Maye has a good mentor in veteran Jacoby Brissett, who he dethroned as the starting quarterback. He’s someone Maye can continue to learn from and to be a solid leader — which means calling his players out and holding them accountable.
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“I think that definitely plays a part. I think you kind of treat guys differently based on the relationship with them and kind of their personality,” Maye said. “Think of those guys up front — keep pumping them up. They‘re fighting their butts off all game, and oftentimes don‘t get the credit that they deserve. … Or maybe a guy like Hunter (Henry) that I’m starting to build a relationship with. I can kind of get on him like, ’I need you there.’”
Maye took over as New England‘s QB1 in Week 6. He has yet to get his first win, but it‘s not solely on him. The offensive line, defense and offense have all struggled. The defense couldn’t stop the run in Week 7 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the offense has scored more than 20 points just one time this season.
Learning to be a vocal leader, and someone who isn‘t afraid to hold players accountable, might go a long way in Maye’s development. The team has a slew of issues to work out, but perhaps Maye getting involved a bit more on the vocal side could help the Patriots get on a better track.
