CHARLOTTE, N.C. — New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is standing by his head coach, calling Mike Vrabel "a great human being" amid a controversy that has made headlines this offseason.

Speaking Wednesday after the Truist Championship Pro-Am in Charlotte, where he played alongside PGA Tour pro Gary Woodland, Maye made it clear he doesn't expect Vrabel's off-field issues to derail the defending AFC champions' season.

"No, I don't," Maye said when asked about potential distractions. "He's our head coach. I think he's done a great job of talking to us and talking us through it. I'm just looking forward to getting back to work and getting ready."

The controversy erupted after the New York Post published photos of Vrabel with longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort. Vrabel addressed the situation on April 24, taking accountability for his actions without diving into specifics about the photos. He later missed the third day of the draft to attend counseling, returning to the Patriots on April 27.

"My previous actions don't meet the standard that I hold myself to. They don't," Vrabel said, adding that he had difficult conversations with his family, his team, and Patriots organization members.

Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in 2024 who grew up in nearby Huntersville, North Carolina, expressed confidence that the team will move forward. "I think that'll take care of itself," he said. "I know he's got the right mindset and I know he's a great human being. I love playing for him."

The young quarterback has plenty of reason to trust his coach's leadership. In just his second season, Maye led the Patriots to Super Bowl 60 and finished as runner-up to Rams QB Matthew Stafford for the 2025 AP NFL MVP award.

Maye also briefly addressed former teammate Stefon Diggs' recent acquittal on charges of assaulting his live-in personal chef, stemming from a December incident at Diggs' Dedham, Massachusetts home.