Sometimes it only takes one player to get a franchise back on track. The New England Patriots overhauled their roster and added a new coaching staff last season, but most of that was because they believed in Drake Maye.
Maye showed just enough potential as a rookie, and his work ethic let the team know that they didn't have to wait much longer to return to playoff contention. Now, after a trip to the Super Bowl in his first full season as a starter, the rest of the league is paying attention.
Despite the lazy narrative about the Patriots' easy schedule, and even though Maye left some to be desired in the playoffs, FanSided's Lou Scaglia still gave credit where it's due. In his latest power rankings for NFL Spin Zone, he had Maye at No. 2, trailing only reigning MVP Matthew Stafford.
"He’s got all the tools you want in a franchise quarterback, and while the schedule does get harder in 2026, there is also a distinct possibility that Maye continues to be excellent," wrote Scaglia. "He now has two years of football under his belt, and added the motivation of potentially signing a mega-extension next offseason."
Latest QB rankings put Patriots' Drake Maye in elite company
Regardless of the Patriots' 2025 schedule, Maye delivered on a weekly basis. He was the most accurate passer in the game, completing 72 percent of his passes with a 113.5 passer rating. He accounted for nearly 5,000 total yards and 35 touchdowns with just eight interceptions. That's simply not normal for a player in his second year in the league, especially without top-notch weapons. Maye doesn't turn 24 until late August.
Maye has the physical tools and the intangibles to be a franchise quarterback for the next decade-plus. Other young quarterbacks, like Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, got a pass when they struggled, so it's only right that people can also appreciate Maye's greatness and growth even after a disappointing performance in the Super Bowl.
Perhaps anointing him as the second-best quarterback in the game is a bit too much, but the numbers and the tape can certainly make a case for that. Maye will have a huge target on his back as he navigates a tougher schedule. Still, with Romeo Doubs by his side and potentially A.J. Brown as well, another season of 4,000-plus passing yards and a 70-plus completion percentage shouldn't be off the table in 2026.
Maye will always bear the burden of starting for the Patriots. He'll never shake off Tom Brady's ghost, and the never-ending comparisons can take a toll on the strongest minds (just look at Mac Jones). Even so, he's taking the challenge with his head up, knowing that he doesn't need to be the next Tom Brady; he just has to be the first Drake Maye.
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