Rob Gronkowski Jokes Nikola Jokic Looks Like a Less Handsome Version of Him

Rob Gronkowski gives an honest take on Drake Maye’s second year with the Patriots

The era of Tom Brady zipping the football to Edelman and Gronkowski into the end endzone is long behind the Patriots franchise. Fans rightfully call it the dynasty.

There’s a new quarterback at the Patriots’ helm these days. Drake Maye, formerly of North Carolina, was drafted in the first round last year. Maye’s rookie season wasn’t anything special. There were a few flashes of brilliance, earning him a Pro Bowl call-up.

Patriots hired former player Mike Vrabel as the new head coach. Vrabel was part of the team that won three Super Bowls under the guidance of Bill Belichick.

The Patriots brought in Vrabel and re-hired Josh McDaniels as the offensive coordinator to install the winning culture. Tom Brady’s departure left a big hole in the leadership department, and the Patriots crumbled in the last few years.

Vrabel may turn Maye into a superstar quarterback. He made an aging Ryan Tannehill like an MVP when the Tennessee Titans reached the AFC title game in 2019, so if anyone can bring out the best of Maye, it’s Vrabel.

Gronk is optimistic about Vrabel’s coaching skills and Maye’s quarterbacking abilities. However, the retired All-Pro tight end doesn’t see Maye reaching his full potential in 2025.

Drake Maye’s a great quarterback [and] has a good team around him now. I can see him being a top-five candidate for MVP in the future, maybe in year three, four, five, or something along those lines. He’s not gonna be a top-five candidate this year.

Rob Gronkowski said on the podcast

Edelman agreed with his ex-teammate-turned-podcast colleague.

Let’s pump the brakes—let’s just try to make the playoffs before we talk about MVP.

Edelman said

Maye is currently 66/1 to win the MVP award this year, so the pair is not far from the consensus.

As for Maye, he should focus on winning games. The Joe Milton distraction is no longer there. So he can freely play his game.

As per NFL.com, the Patriots drew one of the easiest schedules. Vrabel’s team will play three preseason games against the Commanders, Vikings, and Giants before kicking off their season at home against the Las Vegas Raiders on September 7.