The case for Drake Maye being in the Most Valuable Player conversation just continues to rise. The New England Patriots' second-year quarterback put together yet another efficient performance in Sunday's 32-13 win over the Cleveland Browns, completing 18 of 24 passes for 242 yards and three touchdowns and just one interception. Maye also ran for 53 yards.
Given how good Cleveland's defense is—Myles Garrett had five sacks - this could've been a trap game for Maye and the Patriots. After a slow start, New England handled their business, with Maye throwing all three of his TD passes in the third quarter as the Patriots scored every time they touched the ball that quarter.
It's time to take Maye's MVP candidacy seriously. He is playing as good as any quarterback in the league. His third TD pass of the game —an absolute dime to Kayshon Boutte —was a perfectly thrown ball that exemplifies how great Maye has been pushing the ball down the field.
Drake Maye continues to play like an MVP.
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) October 26, 2025
Against a really good Browns defense, Maye went 18-of-24 for 282 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, and added 53 rushing yards. He’s been so good. pic.twitter.com/LBU73nGycU
Drake Maye is an MVP candidate. Count on it.
The biggest thing that stands out from Sunday is Maye's 78.3 percent completion percentage. He continues to deliver the ball with accuracy in every area of the field. Maye is also spreading the wealth, with seven different Patriots recording a catch on Sunday.
Prior to the season, I predicted that the Patriots could be 6-2 by Halloween if Maye plays at a high level. Well, here we are, and New England sits right there and is atop the AFC East. The Patriots are starting to run the ball better as well, with TreVeyon Henderson (10 carries, 75 yards) enjoying the best game of his rookie year.
Quarterback is arguably the most important position in professional sports, and the Patriots have one for the first time since the days of Tom Brady. The national pundits have been brushing off what Maye has done over the first half of the year, but it's certainly time to start taking him - and the Patriots - seriously.
One thing Maye needs to improve is generating better starts, as the Patriots managed only three field goals in the first half. But they adjusted and asserted their will in the third quarter thanks to their quarterback's play.
That's a sign of Maye's maturity in his second year. And so is the fact that he needs to be in the MVP conversation.