Rob Gronkowski Explains How Drake Maye Can Reach New Level With Patriots
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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski recently revealed how quarterback Drake Maye could bring his game to a new level in the coming NFL season.
After losing Super Bowl LXI, the Patriots waived veteran receiver Stefon Diggs this offseason and signed another Pro Bowl receiver in former Philadelphia Eagles star AJ Brown. That gives Maye an elite weapon in his receiving corps, and Gronk believes that Brown could really help Maye's game grow immensely.
"He's kind of a player that reminds me of myself, but at the wide receiver position. A bigger body that nows how to use his body. He can get open even though he's covered," he said in praising Brown.
"That's gonna be the big transition. I think Drake Maye's gonna develop more as a player because he's never really had a guy the size of AJ Brown with the skill set, so let's see where Drake Maye can place the ball this year when AJ Brown is covered, to where only AJ Brown can go up and make the play and use his body and skill set to make that play," Gronk said while speaking to Sports Illustrated .
"This could take Drake Maye to a whole other level, and that's what I'm excited about," Gronk also said. "If he can do that, it's like Tom [Brady] throwing me open when I'm covered ... Can Drake Maye do that with AJ Brown? If so, it's gonna elevate this offense to a whole other level."
Last season, Maye had a breakout sophomore season, throwing for 4,394 passing yards and 31 touchdowns with just eight interceptions. He ranked first in QBR with a 77.1 and first among all quarterbacks with a 113.5 passer rating.
Brown comes in after a frustrating season with rumored drama between him and the Eagles. He still tallied 1,003 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, but with a fresh start in New England, he has a chance to shine even more, catching passes from a young, talented QB in Maye.
He's also reunited with his former Tennessee Titans coach, Mike Vrabel, and is playing under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniel, whom Gronk said will know how to use Brown best in the Pats' offensive schemes.
The Patriots are expected to do well once again in the AFC, but still have to contend with heavyweights including Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills, Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, and Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
That said, if the combination of Maye and Brown becomes solid, the Patriots could be even more of a competitor than they were in their previous campaign.
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