Drake Maye’s Cryptic Gesture at Stefon Diggs Sparks Questions About Cam Newton Rivalry

Drake Maye isn’t one to let critiques slide, especially when they come from none other than Cam Newton. The simmering tension between these two quarterbacks—an exchange that kicked off after Newton cast doubt on the New England Patriots’ legitimacy as a top contender—has only intensified as the season has progressed. Maye’s sharp retort, calling out Newton’s remarks with a pointed “I don’t even know what show he’s on,” wasn’t just a throwaway line; it was a clear declaration that the Patriots’ surge, fueled by Maye’s standout play, is no mirage. Adding fuel to the fire, a pregame handshake with Stefon Diggs took an unexpected twist when Diggs playfully threw in Newton’s iconic Superman celebration—an homage Maye once echoed himself in admiration of the man he once called his favorite growing up. But admiration has since given way to rivalry, especially after Newton labeled the team’s success as “fool’s gold.” Maye, riding the wave of his breakout season and MVP buzz, isn’t just defending his squad—he’s staking a claim for the Pats as a bona fide force shaping the AFC landscape. The drama, the performances, the rivalries—it’s all part of a story that’s far from finished. LEARN MORE

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is still getting mileage out of Cam Newton’s diss. The two engaged in somewhat of a back-and-forth ahead of Week 12 after Newton questioned whether the Patriots are actually a good team.

Maye’s response to that: “I don’t even know what show [Newton is] on.”

That feud apparently continued Sunday, as Maye may have taken another shot at Newton. Prior to the game, Maye was approached by wideout Stefon Diggs for a pregame handshake. Diggs walked up and then performed Newton’s Superman celebration in front of Maye, who shook his head at Diggs before finishing their pregame handshake.

During his career, Newton used the gesture — in which he mimics Clark Kent opening up his shirt to reveal the Superman logo — as his signature touchdown celebration. Newton hit that celebration many times during his 11-year NFL career.

The celebration became so popular … that even Maye once performed it during a game. After scoring a rushing touchdown against the Carolina Panthers in September, Maye mimicked Newton’s Superman move.

Maye spoke about the moment after the game, calling Newton his “favorite player growing up.”

Drake Maye on his Cam Newton “Superman” celebration:

“The energy he brought. I don’t show much emotion probably need to show more. He played the position a different way than a lot of people do. Guys rallied around him…he was my favorite player growing up.” @NBC10… pic.twitter.com/XsO8fZAfXw

— Kevin Moore (@KMooreTV) September 28, 2025

That last statement may no longer apply after Newton spoke critically of the Patriots, saying the team has played too easy a schedule. Newton called New England’s success “fool’s gold,” predicting the Patriots would lose their first playoff game this season.

Maye, for obvious reasons, likely took offense to those comments. Thanks to his second-year emergence, the Patriots have turned into one of the best teams in the AFC. Maye has emerged as an MVP candidate, a sign that the team’s breakout is real and sustainable.

The story of the 2025 Patriots has yet to be completed, but things are looking up for the franchise. Other than Maye’s feud with Newton, there hasn’t been too much for Patriots fans to complain about thus far.