Still in Phase 2 of the voluntary offseason program, there’s only so much newcomers can take away from the on-field work.
Players can line up against one another, but full contact isn’t permitted, and practices are limited to a walkthrough pace.
At this stage, the focus is more on building chemistry with new teammates, learning the playbook, and continuing individual training and instruction. But even within those limitations, one thing has stood out to several of the Patriots’ new free agents: the leadership of third-year quarterback Drake Maye.
“What a quarterback. And I’m not just saying that to say it because I’m a Patriot. What a quarterback. The guy’s young. The guy’s vocal. The guy’s a leader,” new tight end Julian Hill said. “He took me in the first couple of days in, and we’re in the offensive room going over fronts. Hell of a quarterback, man.”
A fellow North Carolina native, Hill arrived in New England this offseason after spending the past two years with the Miami Dolphins. After facing Maye from across the division, Hill said he’s now “honored” to be on the quarterback’s side.
“I already knew what it was. Us Carolina cats, we cut from the same cloth a little bit,” Hill said. “He’s a competitor, you saw it on the field. I’m just honored to get a chance to play with him, and get a chance to earn his trust, and be able to protect him. Be able to know that he can lean on me in crunch time. I’m excited to play with him.”
The excitement around playing alongside last season’s MVP runner-up, who also earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors, has been echoed consistently throughout the offseason program. Wide receiver Romeo Doubs, who signed a four-year deal with the Patriots in March, also spoke highly of his new quarterback last week.
“Very poised guy. Very energetic. And, all about ball. That’s just something I really appreciate being around him,” he said. “He’s an amazing dude and an amazing quarterback in this league. I just look forward to continuously building and understanding this offense just one day at a time.”
It hasn’t just been offensive players who have taken notice of Maye’s leadership style. Veteran safety Kevin Byard, now entering his 10th NFL season and playing for his fourth team, said the young quarterback’s confidence and work ethic have immediately stood out.
“Obviously, he’s a talented player, but I just think the work ethic,” Byard said. “Leading from the front. I think that’s very impressive for a young guy to do, and have the confidence to do that, as well. I’m excited to go along this journey with him. Obviously, he’s going into his third year, but to see him continue to progress as a player in this league – I mean, he was already MVP runner-up, so I expect him to just keep growing and getting better.”
The 23-year-old completed a league-best 72.0 percent of his passes last season for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns against just eight interceptions. He also added 450 rushing yards and four more scores on the ground while leading the NFL in both passer rating (113.5) and QBR (77.1).
Behind Maye’s breakout campaign, the Patriots improved from 4-13 in 2024 to 14-3 in 2025, becoming just the 15th team in NFL history to reach the Super Bowl one year after finishing with a losing record. Maye also became only the fourth quarterback since 2000 to win each of his first three career playoff starts, joining Tom Brady, Joe Burrow, and Jake Delhomme.
“It was tough scouting against him,” new safety Mike Brown said. “We’re not around him as much because it’s always split offense and defense, but the type of leader he is — he just puts his head down and works.”
