The New England Patriots head into Year 2 with Drake Maye under center, but the young quarterback will have a new head coach in Mike Vrabel. Moreover, Maye will also have a new offensive coordinator in Josh McDaniels, so there will be a learning process.
On the recent episode of "Scoop City," Vrabel spoke to The Athletic's Senior NFL Insider Dianna Russini and shared the development of Maye through training camp and the preseason.
"Continuing to improve," Vrabel told Russini. "And again, I think that these practices here against the Vikings defense, they do a lot, they show you a lot, and they try to put you in a blender. And by that, we mean one play is hard, and then you just start thinking about the last play, and the next play becomes even harder and harder until you're just spinning in the blender.
"And that's what they like to use in the quarterback room. And I didn't see him do that. He wasn't perfect by any means, but he never went in the blender. So I think that that's good."
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Vrabel also spotlighted the traits that he's seen from Maye that have him excited to see what steps the North Carolina product takes in his second NFL season.
"Just being able to process in his response, and being able to just not let it be too big—not let it be too big—and be able to process one play at a time, and try to get everybody on the same page with a protection and whatever run game, and get us in the right call, and continue to lead us and not waver."
Last season, the 22-year-old played in 13 games, starting 12 while completing 66.6 percent of his passes for 2,276 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
Year 2 for Maye will be how he feels in McDaniels' offense, along with finding chemistry with new wide receiver Stefon Diggs, as the Patriots look to protect the young quarterback who was sacked 34 times.