Cam Newton is changing his tune - and this time, he's giving credit where it’s due.
Just a month after calling the Drake Maye-led Patriots “fool’s gold,” the former NFL MVP is walking that comment back following New England’s gritty 28-24 comeback win over the Baltimore Ravens. Newton, who knows a thing or two about playing quarterback under the bright lights, went on ESPN’s First Take Monday and admitted what many saw on Sunday: this Patriots team, led by a resilient rookie QB, might be turning a corner.
What stood out to Newton wasn’t just the win - it was how the Patriots got there. Down 11 points in the fourth quarter, on the road, against a Ravens defense that’s been one of the league’s most physical all season, New England clawed its way back.
And they did it not by leaning on one superstar, but through a collective effort. Newton pointed to the offense’s ability to spread the load - different guys stepping up in big moments - as a sign of real growth.
At the center of it all was Drake Maye. The rookie didn’t have a clean game - he turned the ball over twice in the first half - but when it mattered most, he delivered.
Newton, while not ready to crown Maye as the next big thing, acknowledged his leadership down the stretch. He called Maye the “orchestrator” of the comeback, a big compliment coming from someone who’s been in that huddle and knows what it takes to win in the NFL.
This marks a clear shift from Newton’s earlier stance. After the Patriots beat the Jets last month, Newton dismissed the win, saying New England hadn’t beaten anyone of note and attributing much of Maye’s success to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. But after watching the Patriots take down a legitimate contender in Baltimore - and do it in comeback fashion - Newton has clearly seen enough to reconsider.
It’s also worth noting how this saga has played out off the field. When Newton first made his “fool’s gold” comment, Maye was asked about it and gave a pretty neutral answer, claiming he didn’t even know which show Newton had been on.
That didn’t sit well with First Take co-host Stephen A. Smith, who fired back on air, calling Maye a “liar” for pretending not to know the show or Newton’s role on it.
Smith, who’s never been shy about defending his colleagues, didn’t mince words. He framed Maye’s response as more than just dismissive - he called it disingenuous, especially coming from a young quarterback in today’s media-savvy NFL. According to Smith, there’s no way Maye didn’t know Newton was on First Take, and he wasn’t buying the “I didn’t know” excuse.
But now, with Newton himself softening his stance, the narrative seems to be shifting. The Patriots may not be perfect, and Maye still has plenty of growing to do, but Sunday’s win was the kind of performance that gets attention - from fans, analysts, and even former MVPs.
If Maye keeps stacking moments like that, the “fool’s gold” label might not just be retired - it might start to look like the spark that lit the fire.