Drake Maye Shares Advice That Could Shape Patriots Offense image
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The arrival of A.J. Brown gives Drake Maye something every quarterback wants: a proven receiver capable of taking over an NFL game. Maye also understands the danger of becoming overly dependent on him.
The New England Patriots quarterback shared an important piece of advice from his father during his Saturday press conference.
“It’s hard to force it to one guy,” Maye recalled his father telling him.
That lesson could become particularly important as Maye begins his first season with Brown.
There will be an understandable temptation to target the star receiver repeatedly, especially when New England’s offense encounters adversity. Brown has built his career by winning contested catches, breaking tackles and producing even when defenses know the football is coming his way. However, forcing throws to any receiver can make an offense predictable. It can also cause a quarterback to overlook favorable matchups elsewhere.
Maye appears determined to avoid that trap.
“Knowing that those guys will make plays when you feel like the game’s moving and you feel like the offense is in a groove, that just comes naturally,” Maye said, according to Pats Pulpit.
A.J. Brown Can Help Everyone Around Him
Brown does not need 15 targets every week to transform New England’s offense. His presence will force opposing defenses to make difficult choices before the snap. Safeties may shade toward his side of the field, while cornerbacks could receive additional help over the top.
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That attention should create opportunities for Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins and Hunter Henry. The Patriots can also involve TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson in the passing game, giving Maye answers at every level of the field.
Maye saw different teammates deliver big performances throughout last season. Maintaining that flexibility should make New England harder to defend.
“That’s one of the best things about my position, just seeing everybody do their part and do their job well and how rewarding that is,” Maye said.
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His comments also offer another sign of his growth. Maye is entering his third NFL season after finishing second in MVP voting and leading the Patriots to the Super Bowl. The next step is not necessarily producing more spectacular individual plays.
It is controlling the offense, recognizing where the defense is vulnerable and consistently delivering the ball to the correct player. Brown will receive plenty of opportunities. He is too talented and too important to New England’s plans for that not to happen.
Maye’s ability to resist forcing the football to him could make Brown even more dangerous, though. If defenses cannot predict where the ball is going, the entire Patriots offense becomes more difficult to contain. Sometimes the simplest advice can have the greatest impact.
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