NFL Icon, Budding Star Contacted Drake Maye Before First Start

Drake Maye received the thrill of a lifetime last Monday.

A little over two weeks after making his NFL debut at MetLife Stadium, Maye was informed about a promotion with the Patriots. New England decided to replace highly respected veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett with the 22-year-old rookie ahead of its Week 6 matchup with the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium.

Maye surely heard from a ton of family members and friends after he was named the Patriots’ new starting quarterback, and the group of folks who contacted the North Carolina product included a pair of household names in the football world. Maye told CBS’ Melanie Collins about messages from Peyton Manning and Jayden Daniels after he received word from Jerod Mayo.

Maye and Daniels, arguably the best rookie in the 2024 class, formed a connection through this year’s draft process. Manning, meanwhile, got to know the No. 3 overall pick via his involvement in the Manning Passing Academy.

Maye likely will receive a bunch of congratulatory messages in the wake of his first start, too. He wasn’t spectacular against the Texans, but he did lead the Patriots to a season-high point total and was the first New England QB to throw for three-plus TDs in a game since the 2023 season opener.