Patriots TE Hunter Henry points to key factor in Drake Maye’s rise

FOXBOROUGH, Mass — For Drake Maye, it has not been an easy start for the young quarterback who has had two head coaches and two different offensive coordinators in his first two seasons in the NFL.

However, he was still able to thrive and show what he's capable of, even being an MVP candidate last season, ultimately losing to Matthew Stafford.

“Yeah, man, there’s not enough good things I can say about Drake,” tight end Hunter Henry told reporters on Tuesday. “Obviously, you guys see the talent on the field and everything he does. The arm talent, the escapability, the extending plays, I mean, everything he does at a high level."

But there is one major difference Maye will have this year as opposed to the past few seasons.

“But, I think the underrated thing he has this year is going into year two in this system is big," Henry explained. "This system demands a lot on the quarterback position. It was kind of just learning as we go throughout a whole season, and you still saw the product he put out there.

“So, to have a whole offseason to be in the same scheme and really build on what he did last year…I’m excited to see the jump and see the progress he can make on a day-to-day basis.”

Maye finished the 2025 regular season going 354-of-492 for 4,394 passing yards and 31 passing touchdowns, as well as 103 carries for 450 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. In the postseason, he added an additional 828 passing yards and six passing touchdowns, as well as 29 carries for 178 rushing yards and 1 rushing touchdown.

So, just imagine what will happen after he's had a whole offseason to become even more comfortable in the same system he played in the year before.

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