The New England Patriots’ 2025-26 season has been a remarkable turnaround, but former franchise quarterback Cam Newton remains a vocal critic. In a recent episode of his podcast, 4th & 1, Newton intensified his long-running skepticism toward sophomore sensation Drake Maye. Despite Maye being a leading candidate for the league’s MVP award, Newton labeled him a “game manager” rather than a “game-changer,” sparking a wave of backlash from fans and former players alike.
Newton’s latest comments appear to be an extension of a narrative he began earlier in the season when he dismissed the Patriots’ winning streak as “fool’s gold” and “cubic zirconia.” His primary argument is that Maye’s success is a byproduct of a favorable environment. Newton specifically credited the coaching staff, including head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, for creating a system that protects the young quarterback. He suggested that Maye is simply executing a well-designed plan rather than elevating the team through individual brilliance.
This criticism has created a strange, one-sided rivalry. Drake Maye, a North Carolina native who grew up idolizing Newton, has taken the high road throughout the ordeal. When previously asked about Newton’s “fool’s gold” remarks, Maye famously replied that he wasn’t even sure what show Newton was on, noting that media personalities are paid to make polarizing statements. This poise has only endeared Maye more to the New England faithful, who see his leadership as a primary reason for the team’s 13–3 record.
“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. 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?
Now insert Mike Vrabel. Now insert a dynamic play-caller in Josh McDaniels. The system is right, 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, Drake Maye is a game manager.”
The “game manager” label is particularly controversial given Maye’s statistical dominance. He currently leads the NFL in passing yards and has shown a distinct ability to make plays out of structure—a trait typically reserved for elite “game-changers.” Former Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel was among those who came to Maye’s defense, taking to social media to call Newton’s take hypocritical. Samuel argued that it was actually Newton who relied on a powerhouse defense during his own MVP season in 2015, whereas Maye is actively carrying the Patriots’ offense.
As the Patriots prepare for their regular-season finale against the Dolphins and a subsequent deep playoff run, the noise from outside the building continues to grow. Whether Maye is a “manager” or a “changer” may be a matter of semantics to critics, but for a franchise that hasn’t seen this level of success since the departure of Tom Brady, the results on the field are the only metrics that matter.
