FOXBORO — Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ eyes lit up Thursday when asked what it’s been like to work with quarterback Drake Maye this season.

The Patriots are back to having one of the NFL’s top offenses this season in McDaniels’ return, coaching Maye.

Related Articles

For the first time in years, Patriots wide receiving corps isn’t a weakness

Patriots LB Jahlani Tavai, partner disclose tragic loss in social media post

Patriots player visits Heading Home shelter at Lowell ICC to hand out toys to kids

Drake Maye reached Josh Allen’s level of play much sooner than expected

Callahan: The Patriots-Bills rivalry is only just beginning

It was relayed to McDaniels that Maye had credited him on Wednesday, saying he “can’t thank him enough for what he’s done for me.”

“That’s kind of him, obviously. It’s been incredible for me, personally,” McDaniels said. “Coaching is all about the players and trying to teach and watching them grow and have success. And I think that’s our greatest joy as coaches come from when we see the players do something well and get rewarded for it. So, that’s across the board. That’s not just the quarterback position, but working with a guy that puts everything he has into it, tries to get better at every aspect of playing the position — which is really difficult — puts in time before he comes in. He’s ready to go every week, practices with a purpose.

“And to top it all off, he’s a better person than he is a player. And that’s hard to be at that age, in terms of the things he’s already accomplished. So, it’s a lot to be thankful for, and certainly enjoying every opportunity I have to work with them.”

Maye is one of the NFL’s top MVP candidates for his breakout second season.

He also said Wednesday that McDaniels is a “joy to be around every day.”

“Yeah, it’s been awesome. He coaches at a really high level. He understands the game at a really high level,” Maye said. “His offense helps the quarterback, helps me do my job. I try to do my best to keep first downs and scoring drives going so I can help him do his job, but he understands the game. He understands defenses, what they try to do. He understands what we have on offense and our players, our personnel, and he uses us to our best ability.”

Head coach Mike Vrabel had no history coaching with McDaniels when hiring him as his offensive coordinator, only playing on the Patriots when McDaniels was an assistant. Hiring McDaniels has proven to be a savvy move for how he’s unlocked Maye and the rest of the Patriots’ offense this season.