Drake Maye has been impressive in his second year as the QB1 of the New England Patriots. He helped the team to its first AFC East title since 2019 while helping them qualify for this season’s playoffs under new coach Mike Vrabel.

The team has shown outstanding improvement since their disappointing 4-13 campaign last year. This performance has pushed Maye into this season’s MVP conversation alongside others like veteran Matthew Stafford. However, Cam Newton continues to remain doubtful about this narrative.

The ex-Panthers star has not been shy about criticizing Maye publicly before. On Friday’s episode of the “4th & 1 podcast,” he continued throwing shade at the Patriots’ rookie quarterback. Newton said that the coaching staff change is also responsible for the success that the team is enjoying this season.

“Drake Maye is well and capable, has all the upside and skillset,” Newton said. “But, last year, under his player’s status, the head coach was fired. That’s not to say, ‘Oh man, you can’t say that. That’s wasn’t all on 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?

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“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. … You may not like who’s saying it. … but it’s the truth.”

So far in 16 games, Maye has tallied 4,203 yards and 30 TDs passing while throwing eight interceptions on the field. Last week, during their 42-10 victory over the Jets, he completed 19 of 21 passes for 256 yards and five touchdowns.

NFL analyst Bill Simmons names Drake Maye as his MVP favorite

On Friday’s episode of his podcast, NFL analyst Bill Simmons named Maye as his favorite to win this season’s MVP award over Rams QB Matthew Stafford.

He made a case for the second-year quarterback, stating how people are arguing over his MVP chances based only on the strength of the schedule.

“I never remember a strength of schedule being this important to an MVP race before,” Simmons said. “Because there is nothing else you can think of Drake Maye other than, oh you haven’t played enough people.

“It’s not his fault. You go through the advanced metrics. It’s so convincing for Maye, it’s almost like you have to look twice. … Pats have the #1 offense by EPA. Maye’s at the top in every category, or in the top three in EPA. … The Rams are f****g sixth seed. The MVP always comes from the one seed or two seed. … So if the Pats are a two seed and Stafford’s a sixth seed, then what are we arguing about?”

The Patriots take on the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET in their final regular-season game before preparing for the playoffs.