Rob Gronkowski shares what makes Patriots' Drake Maye a special QB

During a recent interview with Fox personality and former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, second-year quarterback Drake Maye opened up about the pressure of following in the footsteps of Tom Brady. 

Before Josh McDaniels returned to the Patriots this past offseason, he was New England's offensive coordinator when Gronkowski and Brady helped the franchise become the first NFL dynasty of the 2000s. While speaking with reporters on Wednesday during the signing of a ceremonial contract to retire as a member of the Patriots, Gronkowski shared what impressed him during his chat with Maye. 

Rob Gronkowski praises football intelligence of Drake Maye

"The intelligence he had for the game of football," Gronkowski said about Maye, per Mark Daniels of MassLive. "We were talking plays, and I was saying the name of the play when I was there with McDaniels, and now the name has totally changed. And [Maye] not just knew my play, the play when it was named, our terminology of when it was my era. But he also knew the terminology that it was of his era too. ...That’s when you know he has a high football IQ." 

Under McDaniels and first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, Maye has led the Patriots to an 8-2 record and has become a genuine MVP Award contender. According to Pro Football Reference, Maye will enter Thursday night's home game against the New York Jets (2-7) ranked fifth in the NFL among qualified players with a 72.9 adjusted QBR, fifth with a 113.9 passer rating, third with 2,555 total passing yards and tied for third with 19 touchdown passes. 

As of Wednesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Maye as the second betting favorite with +275 odds to win the MVP Award for the season. 

How sit-down interview with Drake Maye "was special" for Rob Gronkowski

Maye spent parts of this past offseason studying film of Brady's performances in McDaniels' offense. During the interview with Gronkowski, Maye acknowledged that he wasn't trying to be "the greatest of all time" while trying to prove he can become Brady's long-term successor. 

"Obviously, you’re coming after Tom Brady," Gronkowski added about what made his conversation with Maye a "special" experience. "You’re always going to be compared to Tom Brady. But the way he answered the questions showed his respect, but also, [he] knew that it’s his time and that he’s got to do what he’s got to do. You appreciate that type of answer. You appreciate that type of honesty and humbleness as well."