Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, left, talks to quarterback Tom Brady before a September home game against the Dolphins.AP

Close friends who won six Super Bowls together, Tom Brady and Josh McDaniels still keep in touch regularly.

While Brady has gone from quarterback to the broadcast booth, McDaniels has gone from coaching Brady to coaching Drake Maye. The second-year Patriots quarterback has taken a huge leap under McDaniels’ tutelage and is already in the MVP conversation.

In an interview on “The Herd” with Colin Cowherd, Brady said there’s one thing McDaniels has told him about Maye that stands out as the most important.

“(McDaniels) just talks about his work ethic, his willingness to get better and improve week in and week out,” Brady said. “He’s a sponge for information and that’s more important to me than what I see on the film. Because when I hear that, I know that he’s doing the things it takes during the week that are going to show up consistently on the field.”

In his role calling games for FOX, Brady speaks to coaches weekly, and said some have told him their quarterbacks are quick to clock out early and don’t spend enough time studying. Then Brady sees that show up on Sundays.

That isn’t the case with Maye.

Beyond the young quarterback’s diligence with film study, Brady is impressed with what the 6-foot-4, 225-pounder can do athletically.

“With Drake, he has the physical ability, he has the size… his downfield passing ability is awesome,” Brady said. “Josh McDaniels has done an incredible job this year for the Patriots. Drake is running the same system that I was in. I know how good that system is for quarterbacks. How Josh does teach these young quarterbacks all the different reasons why he’s doing what he’s doing. Why we’re trying to beat this coverage or how we’re going to protect to give you the best chance to be successful. So he’s in a great system to be successful.”