"An ascending quarterback; it's one of the hardest things to get right in the NFL, and everybody is trying to do that. New England has it right with Drake Maye. I'm excited to be able to play with him. Drake Maye is a phenomenal player. I've heard nothing but great things about him from multiple people in the organization even before I got here."
"When I walked in, I saw him for the first time and I was like, 'Wow, he's bigger than I expected.' [Drake] has a lot of the same qualities as Josh. I believe in him a ton and am anxious to see what he can do."
The New England Patriots' 2026 free agency class demonstrates the significant impact of having a promising young quarterback. Multiple high-profile signings, including safety Kevin Byard III, fullback Reggie Gilliam, and receiver Romeo Doubs, cited Drake Maye as a key factor in their decision to join the team. Byard, an 11-year veteran, explicitly stated that an ascending quarterback is one of the hardest things to get right in the NFL, and he believes New England has achieved this with Maye. Gilliam compared Maye favorably to Josh Allen, noting similar qualities. Maye, who finished as runner-up for NFL MVP, was present at the Patriots facility to meet new teammates, reinforcing the team's quarterback-centered recruitment strategy.
Read at ESPN.com
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