The relationship between media criticism and athlete response took center stage this week after First Take analysts took aim at the New England Patriots and their quarterback Drake Maye. Analyst and former NFL QB Cam Newton called New England’s hot start “fools gold” citing the soft schedule that the team has played so far.
NFL Drama: Drake Maye Fires Back At First Take
When asked about the segment, Maye didn’t mince words, saying he doesn’t watch First Take and doesn’t care what the hosts think of him or his game:
“I don’t even know what show he’s on. 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 we think and what my teammates think. People are going to have different opinions. I’m just going out there on Sunday and worrying about ourselves” – Maye
The Patriots are currently 9-2, tied for the best record in the NFL. They have played by far the softest schedule in the league, though, and still have the second-softest remaining slate of any team.
"[Drake Maye] is a liar…First Take is the number one morning show..don’t tell me you a athlete and you don’t know that. Don’t tell me you a athlete and you don’t know that Cam Newton is on this show. You lying." – Stephen A. Smith pic.twitter.com/kaxxptSMpY
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 20, 2025
On Thursday morning’s episode of First Take, the always opinionated Stephen A Smith interrupted a conversation about Drake Maye in order to call out the quarterback. Smith called Maye a “liar” for claiming ignorance about the long-running ESPN show, and gave the credentials that the quarterback is apparently missing.
“This is not to brag…First Take is the number one morning show, thirteen years and counting…Don’t tell me you’re an athlete and you don’t know that. Don’t tell me you’re an athlete and you don’t know that Cam Newton is on this show. You lying.” – Smith
Maye and the Patriots likely won’t get their chance to prove Newton wrong until the NFL playoffs. Their next two games are against the Bengals and Giants, which will be followed with a bye week. They’ll return on December 14th for a marquee matchup with the Bills, before finishing the regular season against the Ravens, Jets, and Dolphins.
As it stands today, the Patriots are listed as heavy -250 favorites to win the AFC East division title. They have the 10th shortest Super Bowl odds, though, currently sitting at +1500.
