Former NFL Coach Drops Cryptic Warning for Drake Maye—What Must He Confront Next?

So here we are, staring down the 2025 season with Drake Maye—not just any rookie, but the New England Patriots’ potential new quarterback. Now, we all know that quarterbacking in New England isn’t just about tossing balls; it’s a high-wire act with Tom Brady’s shadow lengthening over every snap. Maye’s got the size, the speed, and yes, the scramble moves that make you think of Josh Allen. But here’s the rub—former NFL assistant coach Ernie Adams has thrown a spotlight on a crucial crossroads for Maye: Will he temper his urge to run and instead pinpoint those passing lanes? It’s the classic dilemma—be the thrilling runner who risks it all or become the clinic passer who steadies the ship under pressure. The Patriots are counting on Maye to step up this year, and honestly, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Can he live up to the hype, or will this be the season that defines his NFL fate? Let’s dive in.

The New England Patriots hope they have found their quarterback of the future.

Of course, playing that position for the Patriots carries much more weight than it does for any other team.

That’s why the bar will be a little higher for Drake Maye.

With that in mind, former NFL assistant coach Ernie Adams wants to see continuous improvement from the second-year player.

Appearing on the “Games with Names” podcast, Adams urged Maye to stop holding on to the ball and trying to pick up yards with his legs, and asked him to instead find passing lanes.

“The basic standard, first year, you gotta show some potential, which [Drake Maye] did. Second year, you gotta show some significant improvement. … Third year, you gotta be a player. I mean, a guy who can go out when the championship is on the line you’re ready to go. He’s clearly shown potential. We gotta see some real progress here. … He has a little bit of a tendency to step up in the pocket, tuck it and run. Instead of step up, keep his eyes downfield, complete the pass for 15 yards. I would much rather have the quarterback complete a pass for 15 yards than try to run for 15 yards,” Adams said.

Ernie Adams wants to see Drake Maye take that next step this season pic.twitter.com/iJyn0H6d4X

— Games with Names (@gameswithnames) September 2, 2025

Maye showed that he was more than capable of scrambling and keeping defenses guessing with his shiftiness and acceleration.

He’s a big-bodied player who can have a similar playing style to Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen, who doesn’t hesitate to run over his opposition.

Then again, while that has worked for a durable QB like Allen, it’s not usually a recipe for long-term success or good health.

Maye showed impressive flashes as a rookie, but all eyes will be set on him now as he tries to live up to the standard set by Patriots legend Tom Brady.

He’s firmly expected to take a leap in his first full season as a starter, and while it’s never wise to count out a young player after just a couple of years, this could be a make-or-break campaign for him.

The Patriots want to win, and they need to figure out whether they can do so with Maye at the helm.

The post Former NFL Coach Calls For Drake Maye To Address Key Issue appeared first on The Cold Wire.