Veteran Player Says Patriots ‘Absolutely’ Best Landing Spot For Coach

FOXBORO, Mass. — Davon Godchaux doesn’t think it’s much of a competition.

The Patriots “absolutely” should be viewed as the best landing spot among those with head coaching vacancies, Godchaux told NESN.com at Gillette Stadium one day after the organization fired Jerod Mayo.

There’s a simple reason: Drake Maye.

“The coaches of the guys with no quarterbacks? The rookies? Absolutely,” Godchaux said. “And that’s no shot at none of the other guys. But just what I’ve seen so far from Drake, absolutely. Absolutely.”

Only the coach-needy Chicago Bears (Caleb Williams) and Jacksonville Jaguars (Trevor Lawrence) have solidified quarterback situations, and there’s an argument to be made for Maye over both of them. The New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints need a franchise quarterback.

“Most importantly, the key position in football is the quarterback,” Godchaux said. “So you got to make the quarterback feel comfortable for whoever you bring in, somebody he can gel with and make sure that he takes the next step to succeed in life, and on the field.

“It really has got to boil down to, ‘Who would Drake feel comfortable with?’ Because he’s the franchise quarterback.”

Godchaux also mentioned cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who capped a dynamite second season and looked like one of the league’s premier players at a premier position, among the “other guys” who make the Patriots attractive.

Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas believes the job should be an enticing one, too. Douglas echoed Godchaux’s sentiments about Maye and also shared how the gameday atmosphere and fanbase make Foxboro, Mass. an exciting place to play.

“You got a QB and you got a receiver who’s going to catch everything for you,” Douglas said with a smile.

NESN’s “Boston Has Entered The Chat” podcast mentioned some of the players’ talking points.

The Patriots have jumped into the interview process with a pair of interviews conducted Tuesday and Mike Vrabel reportedly scheduled for Thursday.

New England also has an interview lined up with Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, which is likely to take place from Thursday-Saturday. Johnson, a top coaching candidate given his play-calling prowess and offensive schemes, is being selective with interviews this offseason. So how did the Patriots land one?

You don’t have to look any further than the quarterback.