Drake Maye on facing the Packers defense 11/4: "We have a tough challenge"

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

All righty.

SPEAKER_2 (0:02)

Hey, Drake, Packers have perhaps one of the better defenses you've faced this year. Do they?

Drake Maye (0:13)

Oh, you're asking, sorry. I thought you were stating... No, I think they're...

They jump out on tape, they're physical. They're well coached, they don't, you know, let up a lot of explosive plays. I think they're in the right spot. They've got, you know, veteran guys, they got young guys playing well. They're good in the backhand, they keep things in front.

They mix up pressure looks. They're getting guys free to the quarterback. We got a tough challenge. They're really, I played, obviously, the junior coordinator one time a rookie year, and they did, you know, they do some good stuff. There's some really good stuff and gives a lot of challenges. So we got a tough challenge and then we got to be, you know, on communication. You're right, we're at home and try to use that to our advantage. But at the same time, we got to, you know, be on our P's and Q's this week for sure.

SPEAKER_4 (0:51)

That was a long time ago, but what, if anything, do you think might be relevant to how they approach you Sunday, again, specifically?

Drake Maye (0:57)

Yeah, I mean, it's a different offense and he's got different players and personnel. It'd be hard for me to correlate or guess. I think they do a good job of mixing up pressures. They get after the quarterback. They stop the run. They don't let up a lot of explosive passes. I'm guessing that's his kind of mindset on defense. And he's a great coach and they do a lot of things well.

So it'd be hard for me to guess.

SPEAKER_5 (1:21)

If Hunter's situation lingers and you're without him, how do you describe what you lose without him being there? He seems like a guy that you just have a great...

Drake Maye (1:31)

Yeah, no doubt. I think he's been someone for me that I can count on since my first nap in there, my rookie year. He's been a security blanket and a great guy in the huddle, a great leader on this team. So it's definitely anytime you lose a guy like Hunter, a captain that does everything the right way, talks to the guys in the huddle, knows what I like, how would I like, body language, route running. He does stuff in the run game. It's tough, but I don't know who would do his best to take you back out there as quick as he can.

SPEAKER_4 (1:57)

What's it like getting Drake, or I'm sorry, getting Mac Collins?

Drake Maye (2:01)

Yeah, Mac, looking forward to seeing throughout the week how he's looking. And I think anytime that you get a guy like Mac, who is a veteran in this league, a classic Tar Heel who does things the right ways, and he's smart and he can just, he's easy to throw to, easy to throw to and there's a lot of things the right way. It's comforting definitely having 13 out there and looking forward to seeing whenever he gets a chance to, I mean, whether it's this week or down the road to get back.

SPEAKER_6 (2:25)

We can hear him back out there on the field today, just talking it up. I mean, what does he add just to the field, just in terms of his personality and what he brings to the field?

Drake Maye (2:34)

You guys got to know Mac, he's a, you know, he just brings energy. I think the guy has kind of feed off it. And it's good for me, a reminder from Lanky and a great guy in the huddle, a great leader in this team. So it's definitely anytime you lose a guy like Hunter, a captain that does everything the right way, talks to the guys in the huddle, knows what I like, how would I like body language, route running, does stuff in the run game, it's tough, but I don't know who would do his best to take you back out there as quick as he can.

SPEAKER_4 (2:57)

What's it like getting Drake, or I'm sorry, getting Mac Collins?

Drake Maye (3:01)

Yeah, Mac, I'm looking forward to seeing throughout the week how he's looking. And I think anytime that you get a guy like Mac, who is a veteran in this league, a classic Tar Heel who does things the right ways, and he's smart, and he's easy to throw to. Easy to throw to, and does a lot of things the right way. It's comforting, definitely having 13 out there, and looking forward to seeing whenever he gets a chance to. I mean, whether it's this week or down the road, to get back.