Cam Newton continues one-sided beef with Drake Maye, says Patriots QB is not a game-changer

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Cam Newton continues one-sided beef with Drake Maye, says Patriots QB is not a game-changer

Lauren Campbell · MassLive

Sun, Jan 4, 2026 ·

2 min read

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Cam Newton has not been shy about not giving the Patriots and Drake Maye their flowers this season. And the former NFL MVP continued that trend on his “ 4th & 1 ″ podcast.

“ Drake Maye is well and capable, has all the upside, and skillset. But last year, under his player’s status, a head coach was fired,” Newton said . “That’s not to say, ‘Aw, man, you can’t say that. That wasn’t all Drake Maye, he was a young quarterback.’ But, does Jerod Mayo have a job right now? Offensive coordinator was Alex Van Pelt. Is he an offensive coordinator anywhere in this league?”

Mayo and Van Pelt both lasted one season in New England. Despite the team’s struggles, Maye still showed flashes of what he could bring to the Patriots and showed continuous growth each week.

Now with Mike Vrabel as coach and Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator, Maye has reached another level in Year 2. The 23-year-old has put himself in the MVP conversation, but Newton believes it has more to do with the coaching staff than Maye himself.

“Now insert Mike Vrabel. Now insert a dynamic play-caller in Josh McDaniels. The system is right,” Newton said . “So 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 that’s delivering the truth, you may not like,” he added . “Drake Maye is a game manager.”

Newton called the Patriots’ success “ fool’s gold ” twice due to their schedule. Maye brushed off the criticism and said Newton gets paid to make such comments, and he wasn’t even sure what show Newton was on. Stephen A. Smith inserted himself into the drama, calling Maye a liar because of the ratings “First Take” draws.

Going into Week 18, Maye has 4,203 yards, 30 touchdowns and eight interceptions, and has a chance. He’s helped the Patriots to their first AFC East title since 2019, first playoff appearance since 2021 and can earn his first MVP award.

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