"But I think what I'm trying to say is, hopefully now these pass-catchers are seeing what Drake's doing, and you're going to see the Tom Brady type of effect where people are like, 'OK, I could go to so-and-so [NFL team] for this and come to the Patriots for this. I'm not just going to take that offer,' Now it's like, 'I'm coming to New England because this guy is the deal and he's going to get me the ball, which is going to make me better, which is going to get me paid.'"
"The highest compliment I could give somebody ... me wanting to play again this year, [Maye] had a lot to do with that."
"In reality, it was like, 'I want to play with this [guy].' ... I believed in him."
A former Patriots center officially announced retirement before the 2025 season after attempting a comeback from a season-ending 2024 injury. The comeback attempt was driven in large part by a desire to play alongside rookie quarterback Drake Maye and belief in his potential. The Patriots released the center in March, and retirement followed in May. The center described Maye's ascent as a factor that could draw pass-catchers and free agents to New England, creating a Brady-like effect where players choose teams based on quarterback talent, playing opportunities, potential pay increases, and prospects for team success.
Read at Boston.com
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