Peyton Manning Reveals Interesting Drake Maye Observation

New England Patriots rookie Drake Maye had the time of his life this month, but he did a lot more than just enjoy a trip to Orlando, Fla.

Two weeks after proposing to his now fiancée, Maye was selected as an alternate for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games. The 22-year-old participated in the passing competition against Russell Wilson, Joe Burrow, Jared Goff, Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield. Peyton Manning, who is coaching the AFC team, praised Maye and also revealed an interesting note from the night.

“Last (Thursday) night, I saw Drake Maye having a conversation with Baker Mayfield, and to me, there’s value in that,” Manning said on the “Pat McAfee Show” on Friday. “A young quarterback like Drake Maye learning how to be a pro, learning how to go through a coaching change, which Baker Mayfield has done several times. …”

Maye and Mayfield also share coaching connections. The signal-callers had Alex Van Pelt as their offensive coordinator. They’ve also worked with Clyde Christensen — the quarterback guru was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ quarterbacks coach from 2019-22 and a special advisor from 2023-24.

The quarterbacks had plenty to bond over, and it should be encouraging for the Patriots to hear that Maye is always trying to learn from others whenever he can. That was something Jacoby Brissett mentioned, and it’s transferred over to something as trivial as the Pro Bowl Games.

Maye is expected to participate in the flag football exhibition game Sunday.