Patriots QB Drake Maye fires subtle shot after Cam Newton blasts New England
The New England Patriots are 9-2 and sitting atop the AFC East through Week 11 of the NFL season, but their resurgence hasn’t come without critics. Former Carolina Panthers and Patriots quarterback Cam Newton sparked headlines after delivering sharp criticism on ESPN’s First Take, questioning whether New England’s success is as real as it appears. Newton labeled the team’s run “fool’s gold” and argued their schedule was padded with “sorry scrubs,” predicting a one-and-done playoff exit.
In an article by Sports Illustrated’s Mike Kadlick, he noted that Newton told Stephen A. Smith the Patriots’ success was more a product of their weak schedule than the play of Drake Maye or the Patriots’ offense, suggesting their strong record was inflated by wins over lesser opponents.
“The thing that I have a problem with,” Newton said. “Is if you keep playing sorry scrubs, then you’re going to have this falsetto of a mentality going into the playoffs, and it has one-and-done written all over it.”
Maye was asked about the remarks Monday during his weekly WEEI appearance in Boston. The second-year quarterback gave a calm, measured response, deflecting the criticism and subtly dismissing the noise — while also taking a quiet shot at Newton.
“Oh no, I don’t even know what show he’s on,” Maye said. “I think they get paid to make remarks and make certain comments. So, I just worry about what people in our organization think, and worry about what my teammates think. People are going to have different opinions. I’m just going out there on Sunday and worrying about ourselves.”
First-year head coach Mike Vrabel also addressed the former Auburn standout’s remarks about the team’s 2025 run, telling WEEI the Patriots wouldn’t be leaning on “Cam Newton clips” for motivation. That exchange — along with Maye’s earlier answer — underscored New England’s steady, team-first tone under Vrabel as they get ready for their Week 12 matchup vs. the Cincinnati Bengals.
Ex-Browns QB Baker Mayfield Makes Life-Changing Announcement
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield shared life-changing news on Tuesday, announcing that he and his wife, Emily, are expecting another child.
The couple revealed the news with a social media post featuring Mayfield beaming in a series of photos.
“New addition coming April 2026, and we couldn’t feel luckier,” Emily wrote.
The Mayfields welcomed their first child, Kova Jade Mayfield, in 2024. It’s the latest dose of good news for Mayfield, who has revitalized his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being cast aside by Cleveland in 2022.
Browns Cast Aside Baker Mayfield After Deshaun Watson Trade
The Browns sent Mayfield packing in the 2022 offseason after trading for Deshaun Watson, signaling they no longer viewed the former No. 1 overall pick as their long-term answer at quarterback. A torn labrum had derailed Mayfield’s final season in Cleveland, limiting him to 17 touchdowns, 13 interceptions and a career-low 40.9 quarterback rating.
Mayfield admitted that the situation in Cleveland forced him to reset both on and off the field.
“God taught me a lesson,” Mayfield said on the Sports Spectrum podcast in March. “He had to take my career down to the studs and make me realize that I’m more than a football player. There’s much more going on than the game of football, and for me to see that, I had to hit rock bottom. And that was it. It wasn’t just football. It was in our marriage.”
Mayfield was ultimately traded to the Carolina Panthers, where he was waived after six starts. A brief but promising stint with the Los Angeles Rams followed, though his future remained uncertain. Mayfield rebooted his career in Tampa Bay, signing a one-year, $4 million “prove-it” deal in 2023. He delivered in a big way—earning a Pro Bowl nod and turning that performance into a three-year, $100 million extension in March 2024.
This season, Mayfield has thrown for 2,365 yards, 17 touchdowns and just three interceptions, continuing one of the strongest stretches of his NFL career. The Bucs are leading the NFC South with a 6-4 record.
Browns QB Situation Remains Unresolved
Meanwhile in Cleveland, the Browns are still chasing an answer to their seemingly eternal quarterback dilemma. The blockbuster trade for Watson has proven to be a costly “swing-and-miss,” saddling the franchise with a fully guaranteed $230 million contract and very little on-field return.
Since arriving in Cleveland, Watson has posted just a 9-10 record and currently sits on the physically unable to perform/reserve list. Whether he’ll return in any capacity this season remains uncertain.
Cleveland hoped to reset the room by drafting both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, but stability has remained elusive. The Browns opened the year with 40-year-old Joe Flacco, then transitioned to Gabriel after four games. Gabriel has gone 1-5 as the starter. He suffered a concussion on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, forcing the team to turn to Sanders.
The high-profile fifth-rounder endured a tough debut, completing only four passes for 47 yards with an interception in one half of action. Despite the rough start, Sanders is expected to make his first NFL start on Sunday when the Browns face the Las Vegas Raiders.
