Maye went to his first Pro Bowl this past weekend.
Drake Maye spent his first ever Pro Bowl appearance this past week taking part in both the skills competition and flag football game. He also got a head start on free agency.
With his New England Patriots set to have a projected league high $120-plus million dollars in free agency, Maye made sure to use his time in Orlando to recruit upcoming free agents.
“I definitely think a little bit,” Maye said Tuesday on the Up & Adams Show. “I definitely got to know some of the guys. Tell them a little bit about Boston, about Foxboro, about Gillette a little bit, some about the fan base. It’s definitely time to get to know some guys and let them know that the Pats got some things to make some moves this offseason.”
As Baltimore Ravens starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley was in attendance, Maye specifically noted some wide receivers he met over the weekend. That included Cincinatti’s Ja’Marr Chase, who connected on a touchdown pass with Maye, Houston’s Nico Collins, and Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson.
While none will be a free agent this offseason, both Chase and Collins will need new deals shortly — while Chase’s upcoming lucrative extension may result in his teammate, Tee Higgins, reaching free agency this spring.
“Yeah, it is pretty nice. It’s pretty nice,” Maye said about throwing to All-Pro receivers. “But hey, we got some guys in Foxboro that are doing their thing, so I gotta do a better job giving them the rock.”
In addition to pitching free agents on Foxboro, Maye got to spend plenty of time around other quarterbacks in attendance and Hall of Fame Peyton Manning, who coached his AFC squad. For the 22-year old rookie, Maye made sure to use that time wisely.
“Hanging around the other quarterbacks. Joe Burrow, on the AFC side, and Russell [Wilson]. Baker [Mayfield] and Jared [Goff] and Sam [Darnold]. Just hanging around the other quarterbacks and kind of pick their brains from veteran guys who have been around the league and have great seasons. It was pretty cool to be around them and soak it in and ask some questions.”