Drake Maye Gets Ultimate Pep Talk From Cam Newton After Super Bowl LX Loss: “It’s Only the Beginning”

Cam Newton has generally been either critical or dismissive of Drake Maye's stellar run this past season.

Drake Maye Gets Ultimate Pep Talk From Cam Newton After Super Bowl LX Loss: “It’s Only the Beginning”

Cam Newton and Drake Maye (Image via Imago/FanDuel/X)

In Short
  • Cam Newton offered Drake Maye encouragement after the Patriots' Super Bowl LX loss, emphasizing that the season was not a failure.
  • Colin Cowherd criticized Maye's performance, comparing him to a "student driver" overwhelmed by the moment.
  • Peter Schrager expressed skepticism about the Patriots' chances next season, citing tough competition in the AFC.

Heading into Super Bowl LX, many, including Cam Newton, had doubts about whether Drake Maye could lead the New England Patriots to win their first Vince Lombardi trophy since the Tom Brady–Bill Belichick era.

The former league MVP was one of the staunchest critics of the North Carolina native, suggesting the sophomore had a stellar season solely due to the Patriots playing the easiest schedule in the league. Even when they advanced into the biggest games of the postseason, Newton attributed the franchise’s exceptional defense for leading them there.

He might have a point, as that defense stopped the Los Angeles Chargers, CJ Stroud and his Houston Texans, and thwarted the Denver Broncos late in the AFC Championship game.

Maye, on the other hand, was one of the MVP finalists, but Cam Newton was not sold. Now, after struggling with multiple turnovers, the now-ESPN analyst had some words of encouragement for the young signal caller.

I would allow myself, if I’m you, to feel every emotion of this game. Are you disappointed? You should be. But understand this, this game wasn’t just on what you did… This season was not a failure. You made leaps, strides, and bounds to becoming an MVP candidate… It’s only the beginning, not the end.

Cam Newton said on First Take

The 36-year-old reiterated that he had no ‘beef’ with Drake Maye. Rather, he wants to see the young QB excel. Newton wants the UNC alum to believe in himself and work towards more chances to win the Super Bowl down the line.

Colin Cowherd compares Drake Maye to a ‘student driver’

While Cam Newton did well to stay away from piling on the misery on Drake Maye, others, such as Colin Cowherd, were not so subtle when pointing out what went wrong.

Seahawks defense forced Drake Maye into turnovers
Seahawks defense forced Drake Maye into turnovers (Image via Scott Strazzante/X)

I’m watching Stafford against this Seahawks defense, and he looks like Lewis Hamilton. Drake Maye yesterday looked like a student driver. He was completely overwhelmed.

Colin Cowherd said on The Herd

The longtime analyst pointed out that experienced quarterbacks, such as league MVP Matthew Stafford, know what they are seeing when they stand at the line of scrimmage.

Maye, on the other hand, is still trying to figure out what he needs to do in the NFL. Cowherd believes that the lack of experience was the biggest difference in the young QB’s regular-season run and the postseason.

That is why he pointed out the difference in statistics to when Stafford faced the same Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks defense. Cowherd believes it will be a while before Drake Maye can operate in the biggest game with confidence.

Peter Schrager does not believe in Drake Maye’s Patriots

As discussions about the Super Bowl LX game continued on First Take, Peter Schrager joined the crew and went on to detail what he believes the Patriots would do next season.

That team we saw last night that took the field, that team is not a team I would take coming out of the AFC going into next season… They have been ahead of schedule all season. They have played well past expectations.

Peter Schrager said on First Take

The former Good Morning Football analyst pointed out that with Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Bo Nix, and Justin Herbert in the AFC, the Patriots will have a hard time repeating what they did this year.

He also brought up the schedule reference and mentioned that the franchise essentially exceeded its potential. Next season, they will face a reality test of what their true place is in the tough conference.

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