Former NFL Quarterback Takes ‘Victory Lap’ On Patriots’ Drake Maye

Drake Maye is defying most expectations during an MVP-caliber second season with the New England Patriots, but not everybody is surprised.

Dan Patrick invited ESPN analyst Tim Hasselbeck to remind everyone of his pre-draft comments about Maye. The former NFL quarterback made a statement that was considered bold in November 2023.

“Drake Maye is to me, about as perfect of a prospect that I have ever seen in 15 years at ESPN,” Hasselbeck said on “The Dan Patrick Show” two years ago.

Hasselbeck recalled that proclamation when appearing on Monday’s show.

“The hot takes aren’t really me,” Hasselbeck told Patrick. “That’s not really what I’ve done over the last 18 years or so. So I appreciate the victory lap. I usually don’t get those. I hear when I’m wrong a lot.”

The 47-year-old explained why he felt so confident in Maye, whom the Patriots selected with the No. 3 pick after quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels.

“I think what I saw was, the physical tools were just obviously there,” Hasselbeck said. “That was a no-brainer. … There are other things about him, just in terms of his make-up.”

Hasselbeck got a closer look at the North Carolina star while working Tar Heels game as an ACC Network analyst. He feels that breaking down plays with a quarterback in the vein of Jon Gruden’s former “QB Camp” can be more valuable than watching his tape.

“I had the benefit of calling Carolina games over multiple years and being able to meet with Drake,” Hasselbeck said. “And so, when you can sit with somebody and say, ‘OK, why did that happen or what did you see here?’ That tells you way more than just watching somebody’s film and making an assessment on him.

“I’ve been right about other guys in the past, I’ve been wrong about other guys in the past. To me, there was really nothing wrong with him as a prospect coming out. And from my conversations with him, it was like, this guy totally gets it. Gets everything about playing the position and what it would be like to have to be the leader of a franchise.”