The New England Patriots have been searching for a long time to find a quarterback replacement who closely resembles legendary Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady.
The Patriots think they have found their answer in Drake Maye, who played exceptionally well on Sunday in New England’s 32-13 win over the Cleveland Browns. Even Brady himself is giving Maye some high praise in light of his overall performance on the field.
What Is Tom Brady Saying About Patriots’ Drake Maye?
Brady, in an interview with Carlos A. Lopez for “Sports Illustrated,” pointed out some things that he’s pretty happy to see from Maye at this point in his career.
“Well, I think he’s obviously very smart and detailed,” Brady said in a segment of the interview posted on X. “I always appreciate the quarterbacks in the NFL that read coverages, throw to the open guy, play on time, play on rhythm in the pass game… Josh [McDaniels] is just so good at instructing him in that way.
Tom Brady on #Patriots QB Drake Maye:
“Well, I think he’s obviously very smart and detailed. I always appreciate the quarterbacks in the NFL that read coverages, throw to the open guy, play on time… Josh [McDaniels] is just so good at instructing him in that way.”
(🎥 @SInow) pic.twitter.com/zWWXfvTHsq
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) October 27, 2025
“He’s really doing it and he’s just taking the coaching, he’s learning every week, he seems to be getting better,” Brady said. McDaniels, who previously served as the Patriots’ head coach, returned to the organization this season under new head coach Mike Vrabel as the team’s offensive coordinator.
McDaniels has a reputation of being a kind of “quarterback whisperer” who can take quarterbacks and help them to improve their play.
In the Patriots’ win over the Browns, Maye was 18-of-24 passing for 282 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. For the 2025 NFL season so far, Maye has 2,026 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. Maye finished the game with a 67.4 QBR.
A lot has been expected from Maye, who was the Patriots’ No. 1 draft pick (No. 3 overall) in the 2024 NFL Draft out of North Carolina. For the season so far, Maye has a 76.2 QBR.
In the PFSN NFL QB Impact metrics, Maye has a 91.2 QB Impact Score and grades out at an A-. The only NFL quarterback who ranks higher in the NFL QB Impact data is the Indianapolis Colts starting quarterback, Daniel Jones.
Maye will lead the Patriots, who are 6-2 on the season and in first place in the AFC East Division, against the Atlanta Falcons next Sunday at 1 p.m. Eastern at Gillette Stadium for New England’s second consecutive home game.
