Patriots QB Drake Maye joins Phil Perry for an exclusive 1-on-1 interview to share his thoughts on new head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, and how he’s learning from Tom Brady entering his second year with the team.
As much as Patriots players supported Jerod Mayo during his lone season as New England's head coach, it sounds like many of them are excited for a new boss with a new message.
On Wednesday morning, third-year cornerback Christian Gonzalez suggested "the building got a little more lax" under Mayo, which "might have hurt" the Patriots' performance on the field. Later that night, second-year quarterback Drake Maye said he's looking forward to new head coach Mike Vrabel providing some "hard coaching."
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"For me as a player, especially as a quarterback, you want that, you like that, you want to be coached hard. We're playing at the highest level, but we still need to be coached hard," Maye told Patriots Insider Phil Perry in an exclusive interview on the Next Pats Podcast.
"I guess the biggest thing people get away from -- we don't know everything. Especially me coming in, second year, just finished my rookie season, I don't know everything. I want to be coached hard.
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"I know (offensive coordinator Josh) McDaniels will get that done, Coach Vrabel. I think some of our guys, including me, we probably need that -- a little hard coaching."
🔊 Next Pats Podcast: EXCLUSIVE: Drake Maye FIRED UP to work with Josh McDaniels | Listen & Subscribe | Watch on YouTube
The No. 1 reason why the Patriots went 4-13 last season was a lack of talent. New England had one of the worst rosters in the league and was particularly weak at key positions like offensive line, wide receiver and pass rusher. But lack of discipline and poor situational awareness also played key roles in their struggles -- the Patriots lost six games by one score in 2024 -- and the hope is that Vrabel helps New England improve in those areas by setting a tone of accountability.
"We're gonna remove entitlement from our football team," Vrabel said at his introductory press conference last month. "We're gonna get everything that we've earned, from the head coach to the position coaches, all the way down to the players. We're gonna earn the right to be here every single day."
Vrabel's approach may not resonate with everyone, but the fact that his best offensive player and best defensive player appear on board is a great sign as the Patriots aim to return to prominence.
"I think we're really excited about Coach (Vrabel) because he's played in New England and knows what it's like to have success for the Patriots and (has been) a head coach somewhere else," Maye told Perry.
"So, he's kind of been out of system and seen different things. ... I think he's really excited. I think the guys are gonna be pumped up."
Also in this episode:
- Steve Palazzolo shares his thoughts on what the Patriots should do with the 4th overall pick
- Would Steve be comfortable taking Abdul Carter at No. 1 overall?
- Should the Patriots look to add Tee Higgins and/or Cooper Kupp?
- Steve breaks down how New England can look to the Eagles and Chiefs to return to championship form
