Mack Brown: Patriots QB Drake Maye 'Built for Super Bowls'

North Carolina's former head coach believes his ex-QB will become one of the NFL's all-time greats.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 9:55am

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Mack Brown, the former head coach of the University of North Carolina, believes that Drake Maye, the New England Patriots' young quarterback, is "built for Super Bowls" and will go down as one of the best players to ever take the field. Maye, who Brown coached at UNC, is set to play in his first Super Bowl next week at just 24 years old.

Why it matters

Maye's rapid rise to the Super Bowl in just his second NFL season is a testament to his talent and potential. Brown's high praise for his former player suggests Maye could be on a trajectory to become one of the league's all-time great quarterbacks.

The details

Maye finished his three-year career at UNC with 62 touchdowns and 8,018 passing yards. Brown, who also coached NFL quarterbacks like Vince Young and Colt McCoy at Texas, believes Maye has the "upside" to be one of the best players he's ever coached. Under Brown, UNC went 17-10 with Maye as the starting QB, including an ACC Championship Game appearance in 2022.

  • Maye was selected by the Patriots in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
  • Maye will play in his first Super Bowl next week at 24 years old.
  • Brown parted ways with UNC in 2024, with the school later hiring former NFL coach Bill Belichick.

The players

Drake Maye

The New England Patriots' young quarterback who is set to play in his first Super Bowl next week.

Mack Brown

The former head coach of the University of North Carolina, where he coached Maye before the Patriots drafted him.

Vince Young

A quarterback Brown coached at the University of Texas who went on to have an NFL career.

Colt McCoy

Another quarterback Brown coached at the University of Texas who later played in the NFL.

Bill Belichick

The former NFL coach who was hired by the University of North Carolina after Brown's departure.

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What they’re saying

“I told scouts when they would come through that he's a Super Bowl guy, He'll win a Super Bowl. I didn't know he was going to have a chance to be the second-youngest guy to ever do it.”

— Mack Brown, Former UNC Head Coach

“I think Drake has the upside right now that, I hope he wins this one, if he doesn't, then there's another Super Bowl out there for Drake. I think Drake will go down not only being one of the best that I've ever coached, but one of the best to ever play.”

— Mack Brown, Former UNC Head Coach

What’s next

The Patriots and Seahawks will face off in Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8.

The takeaway

Maye's rapid rise to the Super Bowl in just his second NFL season, combined with the high praise from his former college coach Mack Brown, suggests the young Patriots quarterback could be on a trajectory to become one of the all-time great players in the NFL.