Patriots

“I think I’m competing to win. That’s what Patriots Nation is about, that’s what they know how to do. I’m ready to come in and do that.”

Drake Maye smiled as he recalled the moment the Patriots selected him with the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

He said the phone call made Thursday one of the best nights of his life.

“It was one of the moments I’ll cherish forever,” Maye added. “I think my mom grabbed that phone and took it with her, so we’ll cherish that forever.”

Maye is now the second quarterback the Patriots have taken in the first-round since the end of the Tom Brady era. Here are five takeaways from his introductory press conference.

Patriots didn’t hesitate to make the pick

Maye was surrounded by family when the Patriots made the pick.

“I got my three older brothers, my best friends, my older brother Luke plays basketball overseas in Japan and he flew back yesterday and made it in for the trip. My two parents, and longtime girlfriend and ten of my friends and family came up as a surprise yesterday.”

He didn’t have to wait very long to find out that he would be heading to New England.

“I kind of had the ring-down phone, the old-school phone right behind me at the draft,” Maye said. “Once that rang, real early, right at 10 minutes. Right when the Patriots were on the clock, I heard it started ringing.”

Maye says those who doubt Patriots’ ability to support a rookie QB are “wrong”

The Patriots are coming off of their worst season in decades, one that ultimately culminated in Bill Belichick’s departure.

One of the concerns heading into the draft was whether the Patriots had a suitable roster to properly support a young quarterback. Mac Jones, the Patriots’ first-round pick in 2021, crumbled at the end of last year and lost his job to backup Bailey Zappe who didn’t fare much better.

The Patriots tied with Carolina for the least amount of points scored last year.

Maye believes he can help turn things around. He left a message for skeptics who say that New England is one of the worst places in the league to develop a quarterback after the way Bill Belichick handled the position over the last few years.

“I think they’re wrong,” Maye said. “That defense last year held a lot of teams to low points. Looking forward to helping any way in the offense. Looking forward to being with coach Mayo in his first season, congrats to him. Anybody who is saying that, we’ll find out this season. We’ll work hard with the guys and prove them wrong.”

Maye hopes to soak up knowledge from Tom Brady

Maye said one of the reasons he is excited to come to New England is the history.

He knows that playing quarterback here will draw comparisons to Tom Brady, who led the Patriots to six Super Bowls.

Maye said he is focused on being himself, but hopes to build a relationship with Brady and learn all that he can.

“Tom Brady is the GOAT. It’s easy to say that. He’s the best that ever played this game. I’m not going to be Tom Brady. I’m just going to be Drake Maye. And then from there, I’m just trying to learn from him, get to know him a little bit, hopefully soak it up and be a sponge and learn all I can from him. He’s the man in that town.”

Sam Howell introduced Maye to Jacoby Brissett

The Patriots signed quarterback Jacoby Brissett to a 1-year deal this offseason.

Maye and Brissett are expected to compete for the starting job.

“I think my first thing is to help any way that I can, contribute, prepare, and get ready be the starter,” Maye said. “At the same time I know as a young guy coming in there it’s not given to you, you’ve got to earn it. The NFL is a place where you’ve got to work your butt off and go earn they guys’ respect, help whoever is the starter if I’m not to be the best player they can and help this team win.”

Maye said Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell introduced him to Brissett over the summer.

“He’s been so many different places,” Maye said of Brissett. “I think he’s been in this offense before with Coach Van Pelt. Just looking forward to learning from him. I know he’s an old guy, an old vet and he can still play so I’m looking forward to helping to contribute in any way and looking forward to getting to see him.”

Patriots fans can expect “a competitor and a winner”, Maye said

Maye, the 2022 ACC offensive player of the year, said he loves football and hates losing.

He first listed his competitiveness when asked what Patriots fans should expect from him.

“A competitor and a winner,” Maye said. “That’s the first two things that come to mind. It doesn’t matter if I’m racing you out the door or competing on the football field. I think I’m competing to win. That’s what Patriots Nation is about, that’s what they know how to do. I’m ready to come in and do that.”