Cam Newton Downplays Drake Maye’s Role In Patriots’ Super Bowl Run

Drake Maye grew up idolizing Cam Newton, but the former quarterback won’t stop badmouthing him and the New England Patriots.

Newton appears to have found a gimmick in criticizing the Patriots ever since he called them “fool’s gold” and predicted a quick playoff exit during the regular season. Maye and Co. proved the former New England signal-caller wrong, punching a ticket to Super Bowl LX with wins over the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans and Denver Broncos.

A week after claiming the Patriots have enjoyed the “easiest road to the Super Bowl in NFL history,” Newton questioned how much Maye contributed to their AFC title on his “4th&1” podcast.

“They’re not here because of Drake Maye,” Newton claimed. “That’s just facts. Does that make Drake Maye a bad player? No.”

Newton compared Maye’s playoff run to Trent Dilfer, Brad Johnson, Rex Grossman and Jim McMahon, game-managers who rode an elite defense to the Super Bowl. The Patriots have allowed 26 combined points over three postseason victories.

The 2015 MVP added that Maye is far more talented than those quarterbacks, and he “absolutely” believes the 23-year-old will play better moving forward. However, he also thinks the second-year pro was lucky to survive a 10-7 win over Denver in the AFC Championship Game with 86 passing yards.

“It doesn’t sound good, but when you’re talking about explaining why you say those names and the reasoning behind those names, all of those names combined benefitted off a great defense,” Newton said. “Alone. Did Drake Maye do enough to win a football game? Yes. But I would also say Drake Maye did enough to lose a game he won, too.”