Robert Griffin III Calls out Cam Newton for Devaluing Drake Maye’s Stellar Season

Robert Griffin III called out Cam Newton for undermining Drake Maye's MVP-caliber season by naming him a 'game manager' rather than a 'game changer.'

Robert Griffin III Calls out Cam Newton for Devaluing Drake Maye’s Stellar Season

Drake Maye, Cam Newton, and Robert Griffin III inside the circle (Image via IMAGO)

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Robert Griffin III isn’t a fan of the way Cam Newton constantly undermines Drake Maye by calling him a ‘game manager’ despite leading the New England Patriots to a 14-3 season in just his second year. RG3 argued that Newton’s assessment of Maye is harsh, considering the Carolina native grew up supporting the Panthers and Newton.

That doesn’t mean RG3 is against Newton critiquing Maye or anyone else. However, he wants to see a more compassionate approach from the ex-NFL MVP. Calling Maye a ‘game manager’ undermines his growth compared to his performance in his rookie year.

Sure, the strength of the schedule matters, but at the end of the day, quarterbacks need to win games to play postseason football. Numbers don’t lie. Maye is only the third Patriots QB to throw for 4000+ passing yards while keeping a league-best 72.0% completion rate, 8.9 yards per throw, 35 touchdowns, and just 8 picks. From RG3’s point of view, “every game manager has to find ways to make game-changing plays.”

Drake Maye is a game-changing franchise QB who is Top 2 in the MVP race and took the Patriots from 4-13 to 14-3. There isn’t anything negative to say about him. Cam Newton finding ways to devalue him is unnecessary and sad for Drake Maye, since Cam was one of his heroes growing up.

Robert Griffin III tweeted

What did Cam Newton say about Drake Maye?

Newton, on his 4th & 1 podcast, questioned Maye’s bid as a legitimate MVP contender. The Patriots fired their head coach and offensive coordinator following a disastrous 4-13 season, anchored by Maye. Aside from the easy run of fixtures, Maye received the luxury of learning from a proven winner, Mike Vrabel, and Josh McDaniels.

Robert Griffin III Calls out Cam Newton for Devaluing Drake Maye's Stellar Season
Drake Maye (Image via IMAGO)

I can’t just sit up here and say Drake Maye is a game-changer right now because we’ve only had one season of dynamic play. What I’m telling you is the truth. The person [who is] delivering the truth, you may not like. Drake Maye is a game manager.

Cam Newton said

Newton has refused to take back his words despite receiving backlash for his opinion. Even former players such as RG3 and JJ Watt aren’t on board with him. Watt, in particular, picked the UNC graduate as his MVP frontrunner instead of Rams veteran QB Matthew Stafford. The former Texan and Cardinals star said the Patriots wouldn’t reach 14 wins unless Maye was the starting quarterback.

If you take Drake Maye out of the Patriots, they dropping further down.

JJ Watt said recently on CBS

Maye’s not the first quarterback to find himself under Newton’s scanner. Brock Purdy‘s rise from being Mr. Irrelevant to a Super Bowl finalist and a Pro Bowler did little to sway Newton’s perspective about him.

Purdy led the San Francisco 49ers to a 12-5 finish in 2025. While most of the league praised Purdy for his Pro Bowl-level performances, Newton viewed his success differently. He bypassed Purdy’s involvement by handing the credit to his teammates, Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, and Trent Williams.

Brock [Purdy], they’re [49ers] not winning because of him. He’s managing the game. And if we were to put that in its own right as ‘game managers,’ Brock Purdy, Tua Tagovailoa, and Jared Goff. And, really, Dak Prescott. These are game managers; they are not difference makers.

Newton said via NBC Sports (H/T: Yahoo Sports)

Newton doubled down on his take when Purdy struggled to win games after CMC and Aiyuk picked up injuries. The Niners won just six games and missed the playoffs. However, the Niners bounced back again in 2025. They finished as the NFC sixth seed with a 12-5 record. Purdy missed a few games due to injury, but still went 7-1, contributing 23 total touchdowns and 69.3% of his passes.

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