FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — It’s been five long years since the New England Patriots last felt like themselves. But after Sunday’s win, owner Robert Kraft may have summed up what every fan is thinking.
“Drake Maye might be the one,” Kraft said, smiling as reporters gathered around him after the game. “It’s been a journey since Tom left, but watching this young man… it gives me hope again.”
For a franchise built on greatness, “hope” has been a scarce word in Foxborough. The post-Brady era brought frustration, coaching changes, and quarterback instability. But Drake Maye’s emergence has completely changed the tone — and Kraft’s rare emotional comments made headlines across the league.
Sources close to the organization told The Athletic that Kraft has been “personally invested” in Maye’s development, even sitting in on team film sessions earlier this season. “He’s locked in,” one insider said. “You can tell he sees something special — that same spark he once saw in Brady.”
Maye, just 23, has delivered beyond expectations: over 2,100 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and a poise that belies his age. Teammates describe him as calm, humble, and fiercely competitive.
“He’s a natural leader,” said veteran lineman David Andrews. “When he talks, we listen. He’s got that aura about him.”
The comparisons to Tom Brady are inevitable — and Kraft, who has avoided them for years, finally acknowledged the elephant in the room.
“I’m not saying he is Tom,” Kraft told reporters. “But there’s something about the way he carries himself. The calm. The confidence. It’s familiar.”
NFL insiders called Kraft’s statement “the most emotional moment from the Patriots’ owner since Brady’s farewell.”
And for the first time since that tearful goodbye, Foxborough feels alive again.
Drake Maye isn’t just rewriting the Patriots’ playbook — he’s rewriting their story. And with Robert Kraft standing firmly behind him, the message is clear:
A new dynasty might just be beginning.
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