Drake Maye is one of the hottest stories going into the 2025 NFL season. He made the Pro Bowl despite the New England Patriots going 4-13 in his rookie year, and he’s going to level up under new head coach Mike Vrabel and his hand-picked offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Maye showed enormous resilience and poise while playing behind a vulnerable offensive line with limited options at the skill positions. This leads many analysts to believe that the Patriots have found their franchise quarterback. Add in the influx of talent they picked up in the 2025 NFL Draft, and things are adding up for optimism in New England.
Expectations Are High For Drake Maye, Per Analyst
Analyst Peter Schrager appeared on a May 20 segment of “NFL on ESPN” to bang the table in support of Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels taking over Maye’s development.
“These guys have been in the lab and working last twelve months with some time to do it on their own pace,” Schrager said. “They are both being shot out of a cannon. I think the delta, the matter of change between last year and this year is going to be enormous just the coaching staff alone.”
Schrager also made a strong declaration for Vrabel and McDaniels about the prospects of coaching a quarterback like Maye.
“Drake Maye is going to be the greatest recipient of two men who have devoted their entire football lives to coaching football,” Schrager enthused. “Had that ripped away from them and are being put together to work with this young quarterback, I can’t imagine a better situation for Drake Maye.”
"I can't imagine a better situation for Drake Maye."@PSchrags believes Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels are great fits for the young Patriots QB ✍️ pic.twitter.com/uIqU1B0LlU
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL)
Maye made his debut in the fourth quarter of the New England Patriots’ loss to the New York Jets in Week 3 and never looked back. He finished the season with 2,276 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 421 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns, leading to a Pro Bowl selection in his rookie year despite the Pats finishing 4-13.
The Pats expect to drastically improve their offense in 2025. New England beefed up the offensive line by drafting offensive tackle Will Campbell in the first round and running back TreVeyon Henderson in the second. Campbell is expected to anchor the offensive line, and Henderson is an explosive back with excellent speed and agility.
MORE: Drake Maye Makes Feelings Clear on New Patriots OC Josh McDaniels
The Patriots also signed wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins in free agency to give Maye reliable pass catchers on the outside. Diggs is still recovering from his knee injury but is reportedly on pace to start the season on time.
Even though 2024 disappointed New England, hopes are high that the franchise will bounce back and even be a playoff contender in the 2025 season.