New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel had specific ways he encouraged Drake Maye.
Behind Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye, the New England Patriots won the AFC East this season.
Vrabel could win the Coach of the Year Award, while Maye could win the MVP Award.
Maye is a great leader despite only being a second-year player. Vrabel, a former NFL star, had specific ways he encouraged Maye to be this season.
"Everybody in their own way, especially quarterbacks and head coaches, have to find a way to reach the team or represent the organization," Vrabel said. "There's a lot of different ways that Drake can do it. We focused on making connections and getting to know people. You have to say things that get people's attention, get players' attention, where there's a different version in your office or locker room, in the meeting rooms or on the field. It's just about getting a feel for each person that you're trying to get a message across to or try to be able to connect with to help them do their job better."
Maye has 4,203 passing yards and 30 passing touchdowns on the season. He's completing 71.7% of his passes, which leads the NFL.
A UNC product, Maye has a stellar record of 16-12 with the Patriots, who are Super Bowl contenders. He's only 23, but Maye is wise beyond his years.
Vrabel and Maye face the Miami Dolphins this week. If the Patriots win and the Denver Broncos lose to the Los Angeles Chargers, New England will be the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs for the first time in the post-Tom Brady era.
"Part of my job is to have a message and to clearly define what the objective is for the day," Vrabel said. "Today, obviously, we had some red zone, move the field, our normal Friday, and I show them the clips and teach them. Try to stay as consistent as possible.
"I think it would be the same one I told you that it was on Wednesday. We're going to practice to improve and we're going to try to finish what we started. I didn't change from Wednesday to Friday."