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Patriots Exec Says ‘Everybody’s Going to Do Their Part’  Regarding Drake Maye's Development
Eric Canha-Imagn Images

The New England Patriots are making it clear that Drake Maye is not being asked to single-handedly return the franchise to its former glory. The Patriots have gone to work building a much-improved roster around their second-year quarterback.

According to Bernd Buchmasser of Pats Pulpit, Patriots senior personnel executive Alonzo Highsmith emphasized realistic expectations during an interview with Fanatics Sports.

"I don’t think anyone’s expecting Drake Maye to put this franchise on his back,” Highsmith said. “Everybody’s going to do their part to help Drake Maye.”

That organizational philosophy has been clear all offseason. New England bolstered the offensive line by drafting left tackle Will Campbell and adding veteran right tackle Morgan Moses to protect Maye.

They also added skill position players like running back TreVeyon Henderson and wide receiver Kyle Williams through the draft, and all-pro Stefon Diggs in free agency. That does not even include key players like Milton Williams or Carlton Davis III on defense who should take some burden off the offense.

“He’s a young guy, still developing. And it’s our job — everyone’s job; teammates, everybody around him — to help him," Highsmith said. "He doesn’t have to do it alone... We’re building a team that can grow with him.”

The Patriots were not emphasizing this strategy as clearly last year under Jerod Mayo. It is possible first-year Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel understands that having a new and explicit message like this could pay dividends to the development of his team and his franchise quarterback.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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