FOXBOROUGH, Mass — The connection between a quarterback and the center is one of the most important relationships on the field, and Drake Maye will have someone new but familiar snapping the ball to him during the 2026 season.
Jared Wilson spent his college career as a center, but after being drafted by the Patriots last year, he transitioned to left guard as the Patriots already had Garrett Bradbury. But with Bradbury being traded this offseason, it allowed Wilson to return to center. And now, training camp is all about him building a better connection with Maye.
"Snap and communication," Wilson said about what's important in the connection between a center and a quarterback. "First is the communication, then got to get the ball to him."
Mike
Vrabel also highlighted communication as key.
"The unspoken communication—to be able to see it quickly and see it the same, whether that’s pressure or a defensive front," the Patriots head coach explained. "To be able to set the defense or get us into the right play. Communication. The center is the conduit to the rest of the offensive line. When the quarterback needs to get something to the line, the center is the easiest way to get it, and his communication to everybody else has to be great. We're looking forward to seeing Jared in that transition and working with Drake."
So, does Maye have any specific instructions for Wilson in terms of snapping the ball?
"No. He just adjusts," Wilson added. "He's like, 'Give me the ball.'"
The two almost played together in college, with Wilson almost attending UNC before ultimately going to Georgia. So for the two, they both say it was always meant to be.
"Jared, he's smart. He's real smart," the quarterback said. "I wanted him to play with me in college. He went to the SEC. I don't blame him, but I think he's done a great job of understanding what comes with playing center. You got to be loud. You got to be, “Me and you, it's our show.” So, I think he's done a great job. Just getting used to little things under center, how he likes to do silent cadence and stuff like that. But he's got a great feel for the cadence. And he saw Garrett do it last year, which is a great look for him.
But getting to spend a year watching and learning from Bradbury certainly helped him.
"Garrett was such a great teammate, great dude, great father, great husband. I was just very grateful to have Garrett with me my rookie year," Wilson explained. "Honestly, wouldn't be here without him. He's a great guy."
And Maye echoed that.
"Jared, he's natural there," Maye said. I think Garrett [Bradbury], you get to know a center for a year, and you get to know his little things, how he likes things, if he's going left and I'm going right, how it works, little under center things and how he understands mic points."
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Jared Wilson focused on building connection with Drake Maye at center
