Here’s what Drake Maye had to say following the Patriots first practice of their 2025 Training Camp:
On his thoughts on today:
I thought it was good. I think some … coming out here, the stuff that we kind of major in the spring, stuff that we know. Still stuff to clean up, I think. Pre-snap, communication, cadence, trying to use that to our advantage. But I thought we made some plays, made some plays down the field. I thought the guys up front fought. It’s hard to block without pads, but I thought they did a good job. I think just coming out and coming out each and every day, and just try to build on it.
On the throwing sessions in Charlotte and how did that come to be, and how important it is for him to establish himself as a leader on this team:
“I think it’s something that you miss those guys for a month. You just want to get back, get a refresher from them, whether it’s route-wise, play-wise. I think the most important thing is just bonding together. I think getting the guys together, going out to eat, having some fun, getting some work in. I think it was … glad that those guys came out and showed up.”
On the fact the crowd really reacted to his first completion with Stefon Diggs and what that was like:
“It’s good to have him out there. I mean, he’s a good player. He’s made a lot of plays in this league. Thanks to the fans out here for showing up. I wish I could sign everybody. I think that’s what makes the league go, these fans coming out here and coming out here on whatever day it is, Wednesday. We’re in camp now, who knows the day? But coming out here and supporting us and being here for us in the hot and the heat. I think that’s what makes it go. So, it was fun to be out here and make some plays.”
On if their reaction caught him by surprise:
“No, it’s one of those things you figure, just like the first catch in the game, I’m sure, a home game, that we get a big, big roar. I think that’s what you want. You want guys that the fans like that they want, and I think there’s a lot of roars for a lot of different players around here.”
On the fact there’s been a lot of talk about him taking a jump in leadership in year two and how much Mike Vrabel is encouraging it versus letting him naturally get to that point:
“Yeah, there’s a little bit of both. I think he does a great job of kind of giving me points where I can improve or points where, ‘Hey, maybe do this.’ I think he’s also letting me go and kind of see where I’m at. I think it’s a challenge for me to lead this football team and lead this offense.”
On how much more confident he is than he was in his first training camp:
“Yeah, it’s a lot different. Coming here, know what to expect. That’s what I was telling the rookies earlier. It’s going to be a kind of whirlwind. You’re scrambling from period to period. Next thing you know, you’re up against the defense and some full-speed plays. I think just take your time, enjoy it. Take the time to watch the film. I think more than that, just have fun. I mean, the plays, just don’t overthink it and I think just play instinctive.”
On how close he thinks he is to mastering the offense:
“Yeah, I mean, it takes a while, I think, to master something at the level that some of the guys played at. So, I think I got a long way to go, but I think I like where I’m at. Got some more stuff to improve on. I think it all comes facing defenses. I think you can master it ‘Hey, what are these guys going to do on the route?’ I think there’s a different level when you’re facing different, ‘Hey, versus this coverage, what are you going to do?’ I think there’s a different level to it that I think we’re kind of going to need to tap into.”
On how he feels about the base stuff:
“Yeah, the base stuff. I feel good. I mean, I think it’s more of a judge of how I played today. I think we moved the ball well. I threw one, one ball, which I’ll have back, but they played a good coverage for what we had. So, I think it’s just one of those things that you learn from it and try not to let those defensive guys get me.”
On the throw to Kyle Williams:
“Yeah, Kyle. He was backside one-on-one with Gonzo. He made a big-time catch, you know, strong hands. I told him to maybe sell a little more, just try to give him a go-route feel. But I think he’s coming along. He’s looking good. I told Gonzo, ‘I’m going to come at Gonzo,’ I’m not going to, you know, backside, I’m not going to leave him out here bored at practice. So good for a rookie to make a play like that. And I think he’s just going to get better and better.”
On his level of excitement coming into year two now with Mike Vrabel and what the vibe has been like:
“I think it’s awesome. I think coming out here, and kind of a reset. Everybody feels good coming into camp. I think it’s … you get a tester, you kind of get a feel when you come to these practices and these joint practices, you get a real feel where you’re at. So I’m excited for where this team’s going. I think we got some more work to do, get in shape, kind of small details offensively. But I like day one where we’re at, and I think we got some more work to do.”
On working with Stefon Diggs and how exciting that is for him:
“Yeah, anytime. An all-Pro and a player like that. He made some plays out here today. It’s awesome being able to throw to a guy like that. Even when you feel like he’s not open, he’s going to go make a play for you. Kind of tight coverage. You know he’s a strong receiver, going to make plays. I think we got a bunch of those guys in the room that are kind of earning their role and finding their role.”
On if he has trust already established with Diggs, or is there still a long way to go there:
“I think there’s certain players that you have trust right when they come in. Garrett Bradbury and Big Mo up front. Guys like that have been in this league, played a bunch of starts. Mack Hollins, Hunter Henry, those guys, you trust. Trust is basically, it’s me kind of earning their trust and me making them feel like they can trust that guy back there. I think those guys already have it built in with what they’ve done this league.”
On how much being in his second year will help him knowing what joint practices are about and getting what he needs out of them:
“I think it’s a huge help. That’s what the biggest thing is. They say, your rookie year is just one like… After your rookie year, you’re just like all the rest of the guys, veteran-wise. So that rookie year is different. You don’t really know what to expect. You’re coming out here. I remember the Eagles came out here, and I was in drill and shoot a Mike Blitz came, and I was under center, and he basically was unblocked. So little things like that that you kind of learn as a rookie that things don’t happen like that. I think coming into year two, hopefully, will be a bigger stride for me, take the next level to playing kind of a chess match with defense. Then we got some good teams coming here that we’re playing and joint practicing. We’re coming here against Washington, and we’re going up to Minnesota. So, two good defenses and two playoff teams.”
On how much of a leadership role he sees himself taking in year two and if he’s comfortable being more of a leader, not just with the offense, but with the team as a whole:
“Yeah, I think so. I’m trying to be. I think that’s something you got to earn. I think it’s something that, I come in there every day, work hard, play good in practice, I think that’s a big part. Take practice seriously. I think practice translates to the games. It’s hard to get this simulation. You snap basketball, you can’t go get shots, open three pointers. There’s nothing like being in the mix of it with a lot of bullets going. So, try to kind of earn my stripes in practice, and then from there, just try to go on and hopefully win some games, and I think that’ll help.”
On the fact he said he’s always working on stuff, and what’s new in his toolbox this year for him:
“Yeah, I think just kind of remaining a passer longer when I scramble. I think that’s big. Getting outside the pocket, remaining a passer longer, hope for some big plays, scramble plays, and just making the defense… I feel like I had good times last year where I had some guys deep that I may have missed them or took off running instead. Just trying to remain a passer and just keep trying to work on footwork. I think that’s the big thing. New offense, new play actions, new concepts. Just try to time it up and get a good group.”
On the fact he said he was excited about the prospects of this team going forward and what excites him the most, or if there’s something specific he can point to:
“What excites me most? I like that question. I think you got guys around here that are tired of losing around here and the guys that want to win. I think that’s what excites me most. The guys want to win around here. I think the past two or three years around here, in the past year, for me, I can only speak for myself, but I think there’s guys around here that are tired of losing and want to win. So, thank you guys.”
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This transcript was done based on the available footage and is subject to typographical errors. If you spot anything, please let me know in the comments below.)
Support Us: Help Us Compete Against The Corporate Media Giants
We need your help. If you enjoy our content, please help us beat Google's Corporate algorithm by adding us as a preferred source on Google News.
Click the button below and check the box next to "PatsFans.com"
Add as a preferred source on Google News
Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.
