Drake Maye says scheme feels night-and-day better

Drake Maye says the Patriots’ offense feels “night and day” better than it did this time last year, crediting the work with coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as he settles into OTAs.

Drake Maye walked into his Wednesday press conference with one message that sounded less like a talking point and more like relief.

“ I think it’s just naturally night and day from last year this time,” Maye said. “I was trying to get things right, trying to get guys knowing where I was making calls and getting guys lined up. Now we’re just taking the next steps.”

It’s a stark difference from where he was a year ago. when he was still mapping out how everything fit together—calls. communication. and getting teammates aligned. Now. with his first year under head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels already in the rearview mirror. Maye says the focus in OTAs is moving forward. not catching up.

“The best thing about this time. You get to work on those things and also work on executing,” Maye said. “That’s the best thing Coach McDaniels does, pushing me hard. He’s challenging me. and just trying to get comfortable with me in OTAs. and getting comfortable with just doing things. being out here and just making throws. There’s a reason and there’s a why to it.”.

Maye singled out McDaniels’ approach—explaining the “why”—as the part that helps him play faster instead of just going through the motions. “That’s the best thing about Coach McDaniels. He’s so good about explaining that why and helping me get to know that why so I can play faster,” Maye said.

When asked where he’s improved the most, Maye hesitated—not because he couldn’t answer, but because he’s still in the middle of the offseason program and doesn’t want to force a highlight onto something that’s still forming.

“It’s a little difficult to gauge in part because that’s what I’m trying to do right now, during the end of the offseason program,” Maye said.

Then he narrowed the emphasis to a daily habit rather than a single skill: decision-making. “I’m just focused day-to-day and really not trying to pinpoint an area,” he said. “I’m trying to get better in all areas. I think it’s hard to pinpoint that.”

The change he wants most is quick judgment. “One thing is just making the right decision in the first few seconds I have the ball in my hand. ” Maye said. “Making the right decision. knowing sometimes incompletions are the best plays. not trying to hold the ball too long and get out of the habit of really trying to extend plays just because I feel like I haven’t extended a play in a while.”.

Last season, the stakes behind that mindset were obvious. Maye finished the 2025 season after leading New England to Super Bowl LX. and he did it by posting numbers that put him right back in the MVP conversation—finishing second in MVP voting while commanding the league’s top passer rating at 113.5.

His production included 72 percent completions, 4,394 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.

Right now, though, Maye’s message is less about last year’s output and more about what happens next—working the offense until it becomes natural, then sharpening it until the next decisions come faster than the moment that forces them.

Drake Maye New England Patriots Mike Vrabel Josh McDaniels OTAs Super Bowl LX MVP voting 2025 season stats