FOXBORO — Ashton Grant needed a play to stay.
The 29-year-old assistant had just agreed to become the Patriots’ new quarterbacks coach last January, after working with Mike Vrabel in Cleveland over several months. During Vrabel’s brief time as a Browns consultant, Grant helped teach him the offense so Vrabel could eventually help coach the team’s offensive line and tight ends.
Soon enough, the man who taught Grant came to his rescue.
Ex-Browns and Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt hosted Grant at his house during Grant’s first week in New England. The two worked together in Cleveland from 2020-23, before Van Pelt left to work under ex-Patriots coach Jerod Mayo. Grant said he spoke with Van Pelt and his predecessor, T.C. McCartney, about young Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.
A Connecticut native, Grant added Thursday he’s grateful for his former colleagues and the new job that’s brought him closer to home.
“I’ve been super in tune with what the Patriots have been doing my entire childhood, just growing up in this area. And (now), kind of setting the foundation of what a dynasty looks like, (is) what we want to get back to,” Grant said. “So, I’m super entrenched in that.”
Since arriving in Foxboro, Grant said he’s been “tied at the hip” with Van Pelt’s successor, the newly returned Josh McDaniels. The two have never worked together before, just like the rest of the Pats’ offensive assistants.
“We go to Dunkin Donuts every day at like 12:30 and we just talk more football,” Grant said. “It’s just a chance for me to get him 1-on-1 and pick his brain a little bit. It’s been awesome just to be able to pick his brain and get in lock step with each other in order to be able to speak the same language.”
Together, they will be responsible for furthering Drake Maye’s development as a franchise quarterback. Grant said the team plans to teach Maye the same footwork he learned last year under Van Pelt, a major area of focus during his rookie season. Players and coaches can begin working together on Monday, April 7, the start of the Patriots’ voluntary offseason program.
“In terms of the talent, I think (Maye) can do everything that you want out of the quarterback position,” Grant said. “And I’ve had a couple conversations with him, just trying to get to know him. And he seems to be a super smart kid, but I’m excited to get him back on Monday.”
Originally Published: April 3, 2025 at 2:45 PM EDT