The New England Patriots (2-2) are one of the NFL teams not to be overlooked, with quarterback Drake Maye among the most underrated players in the league.
The Patriots’ signal caller is coming off a game against the Carolina Panthers, in which he posted a quarterback rating of 155.6, just a few points away from a perfect score. His performance also earned him a passer rating of over 135.0. New England legend Tom Brady has a career passer rating of 97.2.
Tom Brady Pokes Fun at Rob Gronkowski Ahead of Patriots’ Week 5 Matchup
Having retired after 22 seasons in the league and winning seven Super Bowl titles, Brady is now a lead color commentator for NFL on Fox.
On Fox NFL Sunday, Brady correctly pointed out Maye’s strengths and how offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is utilizing him.
“I think he’s got great development being in that program and just working with Josh McDaniels as long as I did, he knows how to develop quarterbacks. He’s so good with getting guys on the right play,” Brady said.
Tom Brady, alongside Rob Gronkowski on Fox NFL Sunday: “Right now, Drake Maye’s playing with the greatest tight end in the history of the New England Patriots, Hunter Henry.” 🏈🎙️💀 #NFL pic.twitter.com/7fv5mIkQyh
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 5, 2025
With the Patriots specifically, Brady welcomed a huge level of success for the franchise. This included helping hang six Super Bowl banners that grace Gillette Stadium, setting a high number of NFL and Patriots team records, and being inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame.
Brady had many teammates and friends from his NFL days, but was especially close with former tight end Rob
“Gronk” Gronkowski. The pair played nine seasons together with the Pats and another two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Due to their connection as teammates, they achieved four Super Bowl rings together.
Gronk is also involved with FOX NFL programming. Ahead of the Patriots’ upcoming game, both Brady and Gronk sat at the desk to discuss the current state of the Patriots’ game-day preparations. While there, Brady poked some fun at Gronk.
“Right now Drake Maye is playing with the greatest tight end in the history of the New England Patriots, Hunter Henry.”
Clearly, it was all in good spirits with the pair and the entire desk (Howie Long, Terry Bradshaw, and Michael Strahan) laughing it off.
Henry has been in the league since 2016, with the first portion of his career spent on the Los Angeles Chargers’ roster. He joined New England in 2021, and the Pats then took Maye as their No. 3 pick in 2024.
PFSN’s Offense Impact metric currently lists the Patriots as having the eighth-ranked offense in the league in addition to listing Maye as the seventh-ranked QB so far this season.
The New England Patriots and Maye enter Week 5 looking to improve their record to 3-2 against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football.