For much of the 2025 season, Drake Maye has played like one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, which has only become more apparent during the New England Patriots' 10-game win streak. His efficiency and mobility have been on full display, and his impressive ease in completing deep throws has been one of the most exciting parts of his performance so far.
That has helped lead the team to an 11-2 record going into their bye week, and another nearly impeccable game against the Giants on Monday Night Football really set the tone for their return in Week 15.
So much so, that the young quarterback has finally been recognized by the NFL in a way we haven't seen a Patriots quarterback acknowledged since Tom Brady by being named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Drake "AFC Offensive Player of the Week" Maye@DrakeMaye2 | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/Zg6C0mmZrx
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 3, 2025
A stat line of complete 24/30 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns earned Maye the superstar acknowledgement this week, which couldn't have come at a better time.
The 23-year-old has really come into his own as of late and is on the one-way street to not only being named the league MVP but also leading the Patriots to their first playoff birth since the 2021 season.
Drake Maye continues to solidify his spot as the Patriots' franchise quarterback for the foreseeable future
Although this kind of award doesn't change the way anyone has felt about Maye and his growth this season, it is the latest example of why the Patriots are so fortunate to have gotten their quarterback selection in last year's draft correct, one of the only things we can collectively agree on that went right during the Jerod Mayo era.
They could very easily be dealing with the unfortunate injuries to Jayden Daniels, who has already missed a handful of games this season, or be in the unthinkable spot the Vikings are in, dealing with the uncertain future of JJ McCarthy as their starter.
Instead, they have Maye, who has benefited greatly from having an improved roster around him and working closely with one of the best offensive coordinators in the history of the game. That relationship has helped propel him to a new level this season, making the future look much brighter than it did just one year ago.
Winning the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award just puts him more on notice around the league in a way that they were hoping wouldn't be true for New England any time soon. But the NFL has to deal with the fact that the Patriots are back, and they can't do anything about it.