Since quarterback Tom Brady departed New England for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, the Patriots have faced a significant void at the position.
Initially, Mac Jones appeared to be the solution.
Since Tom Brady’s departure in 2020, the Patriots have been seeking a replacement. Initially, Mac Jones seemed promising, passing for over 3,800 yards and 22 touchdowns in his rookie year in 2021, leading New England to the playoffs. However, his performance declined in subsequent years, leading to his trade to the Jacksonville Jaguars in March.
In the 2024 draft, the Patriots selected former University of North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick, hoping he can fill Brady’s shoes. Recently, Brady himself shared his thoughts on Maye with “Savage Sports.”
“I’m very fortunate to be around him and I like him a lot,” Brady said. “I’ve heard great things about him, but you know his opportunity is going to be really what he makes of it and how he wants to develop it and how he wants to attack his profession like we all do.”
He then added, “It’s not where you’re at when you’re 22, it’s who you’re around when you’re 22 (the age Maye will be when the 2024 season begins).”
Brady continued by emphasizing that during his early career, he benefited greatly from being surrounded by exceptional coaches and talented veteran quarterbacks, which played a crucial role in his development.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion expressed concern that modern players may not have the same level of access to high-quality coaching due to reduced time with coaches. He views this as a significant issue for young players and hopes it will be addressed promptly.