How Drake Maye’s post-practice speech helped the Patriots upset the Bears

CHICAGO — As they prepared for Sunday’s game in Chicago, the Patriots decided their first step ought to be an extra physical practice on Wednesday.

Full pads. Extra emphasis on the run game. Get downhill and dirty.

Largely, they succeeded. But there were a few things missing; namely, details and consistent focus from the offense.

Once players reconvened for meetings later that afternoon, Drake Maye asked offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt if he could take the floor for the first time.

Van Pelt obliged, and the rookie called out the entire offense, demanding more of his teammates and compelling them to snap into focus.

“I think, sometimes, you get into practice mode where you’re just running plays and not really tuned in and trying to execute specific plays. … ‘Hey, we’re running plays out here for just nothing,” Maye began after Sunday’s 19-3 win. “I just really tried to challenge those guys and challenge myself to take each play and know that when the game comes and this play’s called, it matters.

“There’s so many times throughout the game you see how much that play can impact the turnout of the game. So, I was just trying to get through to them. Probably fumbled some words trying to do it, but I think those guys respected it.”

Yes, they did.

“Everybody loved it,” Patriots rookie receiver Ja’Lynn Polk said of Maye’s speech. “We need that. We need that from our starting quarterback. So, everybody loved it. Everybody wants to a certain standard on this team.”

On Sunday, the Patriots delivered arguably their best win of the season; a game they controlled almost from start to finish, thanks to a physical defense and renewed run game. They rushed for 144 yards, their highest total in more than a month. Maye also hit seven different receivers.

The 22-year-old called leadership displays like Wednesday’s his “next step” as a quarterback. In his address, Maye took responsibility for a bad snap in practice, and mentioned some mental mistakes. Maye also hit on the fact little details had cost the Patriots the week before in Tennessee, when blown double-team blocks kept them from scoring in a two-minute drill before halftime of a game that later went to overtime.

But not Sunday.

“I think we had some little mental errors that I think — I’m gonna start with myself — that I think we didn’t show today,” Maye said. “And that’s what counts.”

Maye has previously said he wants to earn his teammates’ respect through example. On Sunday, he said he had enough confidence to address the team not because of his work, but long-running efforts to connect with teammates on a personal level; over meals, texts, even games in the players’ lounge. Developing personal bonds is a pillar of the Patriots’ new approach under first-year coach Jerod Mayo, who unsurprisingly was happy to see his quarterback step up this week.

“When you go out there and perform at a high level, that’s the first step. The next step is to bring others with you,” Mayo said post-game. “And I think (Maye)’s on his way to doing that.”