Ben Johnson, the Bears’ offensive coordinator, pulled no punches when talking about quarterback Drake Maye this week. Ahead of their Thursday night matchup against the Patriots, Johnson straight-up called Maye’s skill set a “dangerous combination” that’s just “deadly.” That’s high praise, and it tells you everything you need to know about the challenge Maye is presenting right now.
Maye’s Unstoppable Dual Threat Takes Over
What makes Maye so dangerous, according to Johnson? He’s an “elite deep ball thrower” who “can crush you with his legs.” Think about that combo. You press up to stop the run, and he uncorks a bomb. You drop back, and he’s gone for a first down with his feet. Johnson isn’t just throwing out compliments, he sees a huge problem for defenses. This is the first time Johnson will coach against Maye, and it sounds like he is expecting a massive test for his squad.
From Rough Patches to Points in Bunches
It hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Maye this season. He started off a bit rough, no doubt about it. But something clicked over these last three games, especially the last two. Maye’s play has “picked up steam,” big time. We’re talking a three-game winning streak for the Patriots, with their offense absolutely “putting up points in bunches right now.” They are churning out “a ton of explosive plays throughout” those wins, including that massive 374-yard, four-touchdown performance against Las Vegas just last week. It’s clear whatever early struggles he faced, Maye has found his groove, and the numbers don’t lie.
Even with the Patriots possibly “down some O-linemen,” Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels is doing a “great job” putting Maye and the other guys in spots to succeed. That kind of coaching, combined with Maye’s emerging talent, is why Johnson views him as such a “big challenge” for the Bears.
The Bears are set to face this surging Maye and the Patriots’ offense on Thursday night. It’s going to be a huge test for Johnson’s defense, proving if they can handle a quarterback who’s suddenly playing with a “deadly” combination of arm talent and game-breaking athleticism. Get ready, because Maye is bringing the heat.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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