FOXBORO — Both quarterbacks will be using the same grip Sunday when the Patriots take on the Steelers.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye revealed Wednesday that, when he was in eighth grade, he Googled how Rodgers held the football.
“I’ve had the grip ever since,” Maye said smiling on Wednesday.
Maye told the Herald last year that Rodgers was his favorite athlete while growing up. He got a chance to watch Rodgers up close twice last season when the Patriots played the Jets.
Rodgers was released by the Jets this offseason and signed with the Steelers in June.
“You just get to the age of starting to really love watching football, and he won the Super Bowl when I was — just remember watching my first Super Bowl. I know that they won it so with the Packers. So, just very talented way of throwing the football. He’s got some swagger to him, and I think he’s special how he throws the football. I remember watching it last year when Jacoby was playing and they were playing at the Jets, I was watching him warm up. It’s just something you don’t take for granted, somebody throws the football that way. Yeah, big fan.”
Rodgers’ grip isn’t the only thing that Maye has tried to emulate from the 10-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time All-Pro.
“Shoot, it’s hard, the way he spins it. I mean, he spins it with the best of them,” Maye said.
“Just little things. I think his play fakes are unbelievable. I think the way he uses defenders, he got someone last week on a play fake, and just his intensity, his cadence is one of the best in the league. Not gonna get there early in my career, but try to work towards it. He’s so good at drawing guys offsides, take advantage of big plays. And think he just has a special talent, moving guys, moving defenders, and throwing int tight windows. It’s pretty cool to watch.”
Maye briefly said hello to Rodgers after the first Patriots-Jets matchup in New York last season. Maye suffered a concussion during the Patriots-Jets game at Gillette Stadium, but he hopes to talk with Rodgers longer at some point in the future.
Barring any injuries, Maye should have a chance to talk to Rodgers again after Sunday’s game.
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