When Tom Brady talks quarterbacks, people listen. And when the seven-time Super Bowl champion sees a little of himself in a young signal-caller, it’s worth paying attention.
That’s exactly what happened when Brady joined The Herd with Colin Cowherd and spoke about New England’s second-year quarterback, Drake Maye. Brady, now a FOX NFL analyst, zeroed in on something that defined his own Hall of Fame career - humility - and said he sees that same trait in the Patriots’ new face of the franchise.
“Drake Maye has that humility,” Brady said. “Everything that comes out of his mouth is always about the team.”
Coming from Brady - a player who famously deflected credit throughout his 20-year run in New England - that’s high praise. During his career, Brady consistently emphasized the collective over the individual, always pointing to his teammates and coaches as the driving forces behind the Patriots’ dynasty. Now, he sees a similar mindset in Maye, a young quarterback navigating the early stages of his NFL journey.
And make no mistake, Brady believes that humility isn’t just a nice character trait - it’s essential for success at the position.
“If you’re not humble, this game will humble you,” Brady said. “Great leaders are in service to other people.
It’s not, ‘What can you do for me?’ It’s, ‘What can I do for you?’”
That’s not just a philosophy - it’s a survival guide for quarterbacks. And for a player like Maye, who’s already being asked to carry the weight of a franchise in transition, that mindset can make all the difference.
Brady went deeper into what leadership really looks like in the NFL. It’s not about commanding a huddle with volume - it’s about showing up every day with a commitment to the people around you.
Supporting your coach. Backing your offensive line.
Believing in your receivers. That’s how trust is built in a locker room, and that’s how teams win.
Maye, for his part, seems to be taking that lesson to heart.
In his final press conference before Sunday’s AFC Championship Game, the 23-year-old quarterback was asked how he’s preparing for the biggest moment of his young career. His answer? Stay grounded, lean on your teammates, and don’t let the moment get too big.
“I think prepare and trust your teammates, prepare and trust the confidence in myself,” Maye said. “I’m going to have full confidence in myself and trust in my teammates.
I think that’s the biggest thing going into a game like this. Don’t lose sight of that, and don’t lose sight of what got you here.”
That’s not just quarterback speak - that’s a young leader who understands the assignment. Maye didn’t talk about hero ball or putting the team on his back.
Instead, he focused on doing his job and making sure the other 10 guys in the huddle are doing theirs. That’s the kind of approach that wins in January.
“When we’re all 11 on the same page, we’re pretty tough to stop,” Maye said.
Brady couldn’t agree more. He emphasized that the NFL has a way of testing even the most talented players - and that humility isn’t just about being a good teammate, it’s about being ready for those tests.
“Every time you take the practice field, there’s an expectation to perform at a high level,” Brady said. “When you’re one of the best to be playing, you are the measuring stick for every team. They’re gonna come out there and you’re usually gonna play their best game against you.”
That’s the standard Maye is quickly rising to meet. And according to Brady, that’s a good thing - because it forces you to raise your game, to prepare harder, and to stay locked in over the long haul.
“You’re getting someone’s best,” Brady said. “So that means you need to be at your best, which over long-term, that’s a great way to continue to develop.”
It’s early in Drake Maye’s career, but if he continues to lead with humility, stay focused on the team, and embrace the grind that comes with being a franchise quarterback, he’s already on the right path. And when Tom Brady sees something special in a young QB, history tells us - he’s usually right.