The Patriots’ senior personnel executive recently gave some insight into how his team views its quarterback.
Despite coming off two straight 4-13 seasons and back-to-back head coaching changes, there is a certain level of optimism — and dare we say: hype — surrounding the New England Patriots heading into 2025. A lot of it is due to quarterback Drake Maye.
The third overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, Maye took over as the team’s starting quarterback in Week 6 and never looked back. While he had to work through his fair share of rookie growing pains as well as a supporting cast lacking talent across the board, he proved himself worthy of being a high first-round pick and potential future franchise QB.
The Patriots, however, are not burdening him with that expectation.
“I don’t think anyone’s expecting Drake Maye to put this franchise on his back,” senior personnel executive Alonzo Highsmith told Fanatics Sports. “It’s always going to be a collaborative effort amongst teammates. Everyone’s got to play a part, and even though he’s a quarterback — the quarterback position is a high-profile position and it requires a lot of things — I think everybody’s going to do their part to help Drake Maye. …
“It’s the toughest position in all of sports; the most demanding position in all of sports. It comes with a lot of praise and it comes with a lot of criticism. Most quarterbacks understand spotlight, and I don’t think it’s going to be too big a problem for Drake Maye. He’s a young guy, still developing. And it’s our job — everyone’s job; teammates, everybody around him — to help him.”
The Patriots took the task of helping Maye seriously this offseason. Equipped with a league-leading $134.5 million in salary cap space as well as four top-100 picks in the draft, they made several investments in hopes of strengthening the team around him.
Among the players added were three new starting offensive linemen (Will Campbell, Garrett Bradbury, Morgan Moses), three new wide receivers (Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams), and a new receiving back (TreVeyon Henderson). All of them are expected to contribute to the team in 2025, and to help Maye make the famous second-year jump.
What it will look like remains to be seen, but Highsmith is confident in his quarterback’s outlook.
“The most important thing about Drake Maye is the quality of person,” he explained. “Good leader, he’s learning to become a leader. He’s a young guy; he is only 22 years old. I think his future’s bright because he works hard and he’s a smart kid.”