Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Maye and McDaniels Built Off-Field Bond That Anchored Patriots’ 2025 Surge

New reporting highlights off-field bonding credited by team voices for the duo's on-field cohesion.

Overview

  • ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported that Drake Maye and coordinator Josh McDaniels first connected through pickleball and dinners at McDaniels’ home with quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant before diving into scheme.
  • Maye and his wife, Ann Michael Hudson, later bought a home near McDaniels, a proximity team officials cite as part of their growing rapport.
  • In his second season, Maye threw for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns and led the NFL in passer rating (113.5) and QBR (77.2) as New England went 14-3 to win the AFC East.
  • McDaniels said he is most impressed by Maye’s ability to quickly learn from good or bad experiences, while Maye praised McDaniels’ demanding practice standards.
  • Tight end Hunter Henry described the pair as complementary personalities who see the game the same way, and backup Joshua Dobbs called their experience-talent pairing an ideal fit.