Drake Maye’s girlfriend, Ann Michael Hudson, is overjoyed about the news that the New England Patriots’ rookie quarterback has been named the team’s new starter. Hudson expressed her excitement on Instagram after multiple reports confirmed that Maye would be taking over for Jacoby Brissett following the Patriots’ disappointing 1-4 start to the season.
Hudson, 21, reposted a photo of Maye on her Instagram Stories and added a heartfelt message: “YAY!!!!! So excited,” accompanied by a smiling face and red heart emoji. Her enthusiasm reflects her support for Maye as he steps into the spotlight as New England’s starting quarterback.
Hudson and Maye have been dating since at least 2019, when Maye was still a rising football star at the University of North Carolina (UNC). Hudson, currently a senior at UNC, has been a constant presence by Maye’s side throughout his football journey.
She also attended the 2024 NFL Draft, held in Detroit from April 25-27, where Maye was selected as the No. 3 overall pick by the Patriots. More recently, Hudson was seen supporting Maye at a Patriots preseason game in August.
RELATED: Drake Maye’s Girlfriend Shares Two-Word Reaction to Rookie QB’s Impressive Performance
Though the team has not officially confirmed the quarterback switch, it is widely reported that Maye will take over the starting role as the Patriots prepare to face the Houston Texans on Sunday.
First-year head coach Jerod Mayo has yet to make a public statement on the decision, but the move is seen as a shake-up to revive the team after a slow start under new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.
Maye’s promotion to starter comes after Jacoby Brissett, who was expected to provide veteran leadership, struggled to find consistency in the offense. Brissett completed 58.5 percent of his passes over five games for 696 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
While he showed flashes of capability, the Patriots offense remained stagnant, prompting the decision to give the rookie a chance.
In his limited action so far, Maye has had a small sample size to showcase his potential. During a Week 2 loss to the New York Jets, he completed 4-of-8 passes for 22 yards and added 12 rushing yards on two carries.
Though his playing time has been brief, Maye now has the opportunity to prove himself as the long-term solution for the Patriots.
As Maye prepares for his first start, his journey to this point has been closely watched by fans and loved ones alike. Hudson, who has been a supportive figure throughout his college career and now in the NFL, is eagerly awaiting to see how he fares as the leader of the Patriots’ offense.
With a high-profile role on one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, Maye’s rise to starter is just beginning, and Hudson is clearly along for the ride.
As the Patriots head into the next phase of the season with Maye at the helm, fans will be looking to see if the rookie can provide the spark the team needs to turn their season around.
