Quarterback prospect Drake Maye has humbly admitted defeat in a throwing contest to none other than Philip Rivers. Maye, who’s been honing his skills under Rivers’ tutelage as he gears up for a big move from North Carolina to the NFL, is tipped to be among the top picks in the upcoming draft. The first round of the NFL Draft takes place in Detroit on Thursday.
Maye is not the only one benefiting from Rivers’ experience. Bo Nix and Carter Bradley, also eyeing up the NFL Draft, have joined him in training sessions that recently culminated in a friendly but competitive throw-off.
Speaking to ESPN’s Kevin Clark, Maye recounted the event: “We had a throwing competition on the field… I’m throwing out-routes into a net, and I hate to say it but Philip won that. Philip can still throw it.”
When asked if it was a close competition, Maye replied: “Yeah it was obviously close! I think he threw three, and me, Nix, and Carter Bradley all hit two. He was still talking trash, you know how he is!”
In February, Maye revealed his plans to ESPN to train with Rivers, eager to absorb as much wisdom as possible from the seasoned quarterback before the draft. In a chat with Adam Schefter, Maye said: “He’s one of the best, he reminds me of my brothers.”
“He loves to compete. We’re out there, we’re throwing six step-outs, a 10-yard drill throwing into the net, and he retired two or three years ago but he still won the competition. So he’s just a competitor. Not only that, he’s just one of the guys. Gets along with people so well and knows the game.”
“I think the biggest thing about Phil is he stayed healthy for so long in his career. Such a long career – so I just pick his brain on how he stayed healthy. He’s a big dude like me so just trying to kind of find ways to relate to him.”
Touted as a top quarterback prospect, Maye remains uncertain about his NFL Draft destination, amid speculation linking him to the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots, who possess the second and third picks respectively. However, in a year brimming with quarterback talent, Maye faces stiff competition from Jayden Daniels, JJ McCarthy, and Michael Penix Jr, all of whom have engaged with Washington this week and are expected to be early first-round selections.
If the Patriots pass on Maye at number three, he’s been cautioned that he might experience a slide similar to Will Levis’ tumble. Levis was predicted to be picked in the first round last year but ended up being selected in the second by the Tennessee Titans.
