As they sat together for a one-on-one interview in the Optum Field Lounge at Gillette Stadium, ESPN’s Jeff Darlington asked Patriots quarterback Drake Maye a defining question.

“Would you say you guys are the architects of a new era or do you feel like you’re carrying on the greatness of the old one?” he asked before Sunday’s game between New England and Tampa Bay.

It’s a tricky question, especially for a quarterback who wants to carve his own path, while knowing how reverently fans hold onto the Tom Brady Era.

“I feel like it’s a new era, but some of the same principles and same people,” Maye said, referencing coach Mike Vrabel, who was a player during the beginning of Brady’s successful run, and Josh McDaniels, Brady’s offensive coordinator at the end of it.

Maye said he’s embracing the high bar for Patriots quarterbacks created by Brady’s success. He and McDaniels regularly watch Brady video for examples, inspiration and ideas.

“It’s so fresh. What he did for football is something people will probably never forget,” Maye said. “That’s one of the best things about this position. They expect you to play well and be the heartbeat of this football team. That’s something I take seriously and know how much of a responsibility that is.

“I wouldn’t say it’s that much of a burden. I think it’s a blessing. It’s an opportunity,” he added. “To play quarterback for the New England Patriots, what a dream come true. What a time to be in this position. My thought is to just embrace it. Be who I am and don’t be anything different.”

Maye said he was glad that he wasn’t Brady’s immediate replacement.

“I’m lucky I wasn’t right after Tom. There’s been some years where we haven’t been as successful as they were. We have to get back to what they created,” he said. “Watching old plays and installing plays that they ran is one of the coolest things that we do. It’s cool to watch that position and know I’m playing in the same offense and calling some of the same play calls and playing for the same offensive coordinator.”