As New England prepares for a new era of Patriots football, veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne says he’s already seeing signs that second-year quarterback Drake Maye is growing as the face of the franchise.
After drafting Maye with the No. 3 overall pick in 2024, the Patriots overhauled their coaching staff and receiving corps to support the young signal-caller.
But one familiar face – Bourne, entering his fourth season with the team – says it’s Maye himself who’s showing the most noticeable change this offseason.
“The confidence is there, maybe even more confidence,” Bourne said of Maye. “He’s just – obviously, he’s gonna be in a new system. So I think he’s in that process. He’s learning. But the confidence is there. Drake is a competitor.”
Bourne emphasized that while Maye is still absorbing the nuances of a new offense under fresh leadership, his demeanor has taken a visible step forward.
“When we do certain things, like his competitive spirit is starting to show more, in my opinion, which I love,” Bourne added.
“Coming out of that shell, you know, he’s gonna become a vet. So I think that’s what he’s embracing. He understands. He’s familiar with what to expect, what to feel, and that just creates a better, confident quarterback going into Year 2.”
One early example stood out to Bourne – a moment during offseason training when Maye urged him to push through a weight sled drill. That kind of interaction, Bourne said, is exactly what you want from a young leader.
“We want to beat each other in a race, or whatever it is, conditioning and things like that,” Bourne said. “When you do things and he just competes, and you love to see that from the quarterback.”
Maye still has a long way to go before taking full control of New England’s offense, but his offseason development is giving teammates reason for optimism.
With a revamped coaching staff, an improved supporting cast, and a growing sense of ownership, Maye appears to be settling into the role the Patriots drafted him to play.
What are your thoughts on the positive reports regarding Maye? … Are the Patriots close to becoming a Super Bowl contender once again???
