Patriots' Drake Maye, Josh McDaniels Played Pickleball Before Ever Talking Football

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels made a point to build a rapport with young quarterback Drake Maye prior to talking ball, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.

"Before Maye and McDaniels shared X's and O's that have made them one of the NFL's most explosive QB-coordinator duos this season, they played pickleball together and dined at McDaniels' home, with quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant joining them," Reiss reported Sunday.

Maye and wife Ann Michael Hudson subsequently purchased a home in close proximity to McDaniels.

Patriots tight end Hunter Henry reflected on how Maye's and McDaniels' personalities are a good match for one another.

"Just the way Josh is wired is good for him," Henry told Reiss. "I think they almost counterbalance each other in a way, too. They've really, really gotten close, seeing things on the same page."

Maye has taken a big step forward in his second season and could potentially earn an MVP. He threw for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns, and he led the NFL in passer rating (113.5) and QBR (77.2), per Pro Football Reference.

Pretty Drake Maye TD Pass 🚀

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Thanks in part to the positive strides by their young QB, the Patriots went from losing losing 13 games in 2024 to winning 14 games and claiming an AFC East title in 2025.

Beyond the raw skills that helped make Maye the No. 3 overall pick in 2024, McDaniels praised his ability to absorb new information and adapt on the field.

"What I'm most impressed and excited about is how much he grows from a good or bad experience," he told Reiss. "I don't know what else you could ask from a player. Some take a little bit longer than others to digest a mistake and learn from it, and then utilize it. Boy, he does that really well."

McDaniels' reputation took a hit when the Las Vegas Raiders fired him as head coach midway through his second season there. He was into Year 2 with the Denver Broncos as well when he got the boot in 2010, so it was a case of history repeating itself.

For all of the faults that caused him to flop as a head coach, McDaniels is clearly a good offensive specialist.

Some may have questioned whether bringing him back to New England for yet another spell was the right call. The results so far speak for themselves.