How Patriots' Drake Maye is reminding Hall of Famer of Tom Brady

Second-year New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye could soon become more than a sleeper MVP candidate if he continues guiding his club to wins this fall. 

During a Tuesday appearance on Boston sports radio station WEEI, Patriots legend and Hall of Famer Ty Law broke down why he has been reminded of an all-time great while watching Maye perform this season. 

How Drake Maye has impressed Ty Law this season

"He’s finding ways to get everybody involved," Law said about Maye, per Lauren Campbell of MassLive. "You know what I mean? That’s the thing that I’m most impressed about. Not only his patience, and how he’s handling himself in situations. He’s spreading the ball around again. It brings us back to Tom Brady. As far as not having that premier wide receiver. He’s finding ways to win. So whoever’s open, (Maye’s) going to get you the ball. He’s making the right decisions, the right plays, and that’s what you need as a quarterback. He’s the future."

Throughout the offseason, first-year Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel made it known he wanted Maye to learn more about what Brady was both an on-the-field and behind-the-scenes. Maye later revealed that he spent time studying game film of when Brady played under current Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. 

Thus far, Vrabel has to be pleased with how Maye has grown in confidence with each start. According to ESPN stats, Maye ranks seventh in the league among qualified players with a 72.3 adjusted QBR, fourth with a 112.5 passer rating, second with a 73.2 percent completion percentage and fifth with 1,522 passing yards. Over his six outings, Maye tossed 10 touchdown passes and only two interceptions. 

Per ESPN, Maye targeted nine different teammates and connected with seven New England players as he completed 18-of-26 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns in this past Sunday's 25-19 win at the New Orleans Saints that improved the Patriots to 4-2. 

Why Ty Law is "surprised" by Patriots' play under Mike Vrabel

Roughly 12 months ago, then-Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo controversially said after a loss that he felt New England was "a soft football team." The Patriots went on to finish the campaign at 4-13 before Vrabel was tasked with changing the franchise's culture.

"I’m not surprised at Mike Vrabel," Law added during Tuesday's segment, per Daniel Fisher of NESN. "I’m more surprised that the team responded, given that many people from last year are still here. You never know what to expect from a new coach. I had a lot of faith in Vrabel, but not so much in the team as a whole."

The Patriots next play at the Tennessee Titans (1-5) this coming Sunday. That game could prove to be a revenge spot for Vrabel, who served as Tennessee's head coach for six seasons until he was fired in January 2024.