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Drake Maye is officially the second-best rookie quarterback in the NFL.
If you are a Tar Heel fan, Maye’s weekly growth and improvement is heartwarming. After claiming the starting position five weeks into the season, he has become the talk of the league as the obvious franchise quarterback of the Patriots.
He started their two wins in the last 3 weeks and tied up the game in between with a spectacular TD pass as the clock ran out in regulation. They lost in overtime.
On Sunday, the third pick in the NFL draft easily outplayed the No. 1 pick, Caleb Williams, as New England dominated the Bears in Chicago. Still learning, mind you, Drake threw for the only touchdown in the game and drove his team into position for four field goals in the 19-3 victory.
After the game he praised the defense for shutting down the Bears. During a bad practice last week, he asked his coaches if he could address the offensive team. And he gave the players a pep talk, nit-picking them all, including himself, and set the stage for their best performance this season.
His teammates, from fellow rookies to veterans, thanked him afterward, saying they want their starting quarterback to be tough with them because it shows real leadership. And a struggling team suddenly looked much stronger at Soldiers Field as former Patriots players continue to weigh in on his development.
From the moment he ran onto the field for the first possession of the game, Maye just looked more comfortable in his all-white uniform.
He had command in the huddle and at the line of scrimmage where the Patriots have made fewer and fewer mistakes over his weeks as a starter.
Maye reads the defense and seems to know where to throw the ball and what his progressions will be. And, of course, he always has the option of pulling it down and running like he did for 24 yards to go with his 184 passing to keep drives alive.
He is a kid but takes the NFL contact, shakes it off and calls another play. On the sideline, he meets with his coaches and then always takes time to watch the defense trying to get off the field.
He lives up to his reputation as a team player in every measure, which is why Mack Brown and his staff loved coaching him.
After the game he was interviewed for the first time as a winning quarterback in the NFL on national television. The woman sportscaster asked him how good it feels.
“It feels really good!” Drake said with that boyish smile. “And it will feel even better when I get into the locker room with my teammates.”
He jogged off the field and into a very bright future.
Featured image via Associated Press/Erin Hooley
Art Chansky is a veteran journalist who has written ten books, including best-sellers “Game Changers,” “Blue Bloods,” and “The Dean’s List.” He has contributed to WCHL for decades, having made his first appearance as a student in 1971. His “Sports Notebook” commentary airs daily on the 97.9 The Hill WCHL and his “Art’s Angle” opinion column runs weekly on Chapelboro.Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
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