Stephen A. Smith Walks Back Jab at Patriots QB Drake Maye

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye found himself at the center of an unexpected media controversy this week after dismissing criticism from former NFL player Cam Newton, prompting a heated response from ESPN host Stephen A. Smith that he later walked back as facetious.

The exchange began when Newton, appearing on ESPN's First Take, described the Patriots' strong start to the season as "fool's gold," attributing their success to a relatively easy schedule through 11 weeks. The team, riding a nine-game winning streak, entered the week with a 9-2 record, led by Maye's impressive performance. The 23-year-old second-year quarterback has thrown for a league-leading 2,836 yards and 20 touchdowns, ranking third in Pro Football Focus's quarterback impact metric.

During a Monday appearance on WEEI's weekly interview, Maye addressed Newton's remarks but emphasized tuning out external noise. "I don't even know what show he's on," Maye said, adding that he prioritizes opinions from within the organization and those close to him. "I'm just worried about what people do in our building... So all that outside stuff, it is what it is."

Smith, a co-host on First Take where Newton...