Now that the Patriots are preparing for their first postseason game since 2021, most of the discussion surrounding the team has shifted to their chances against the Chargers, who will be coming to Foxboro for Sunday Night Football next week. But within that conversation is the possibility of Drake Maye winning MVP, and until Week 18, he was the frontrunner just ahead of Matthew Stafford.
Although that has changed somewhat after the Rams did what they were supposed to do against the Cardinals, which also included quarterback stat padding late in the game, Maye is still heavily considered for the award based on his impressive second-year jump.
Yet you wouldn't know it listening to the 23-year-old when asked about being a contender.
Unsurprisingly, he has taken the humble approach when asked about what winning MVP would mean to him, and Patriots fans couldn't be more pleased with the kind of person and teammate Maye is and will continue to be, making it even more difficult for those outside New England to dislike him.
Drake Maye takes the humble approach (again) when asked about possibly winning MVP
Immediately after dominating the Dolphins, Maye emphasized that the MVP award isn't an individual accomplishment, crediting his teammates for getting the Patriots to where they are, and said they would all be happy to win the prize.
#Patriots QB Drake Maye on what winning MVP would mean to him:
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) January 5, 2026
“I think it’d mean the world to us. It’s a team award. I’m just proud of the guys… I’m just proud of this team, but it starts now. Playoffs start now, so we gotta go.”
(🎥 @NFLonFOX)pic.twitter.com/ZIEEZmZmVa
How could you not like the guy?
This is the kind of attitude that can take a team far, especially when it comes from one of its most prominent leaders. It's clear Maye's teammates have bought into the culture and support him, and this only makes it easier.
It's also an attitude that can draw free agents to the team this upcoming offseason, something the Patriots haven't seen for a few years. Seeing their success, the unequivocal support for their coaching staff, and now the rise of Maye, it might become difficult for the team to decide whom they should or shouldn't sign, because they'll be getting so many calls.
Fortunately, whether Maye wins MVP or not, he's exceeded expectations in his second season and has proven he's a legitimate threat in the AFC East and the NFL, which will be exciting for the Patriots to build on going into 2026.