Considering how the last few years have gone in New England, it didn't take long for Drake Maye to win the hearts of Patriots fans everywhere during his rookie season. He impressed beyond expectations and looked far more qualified to become the next franchise quarterback, which has only been heightened halfway through his second season.
Because of that, there is a renewed sense of optimism emanating from Gillette Stadium and the fans in attendance for games have been making sure the team, especially Maye, know just how much they appreciate their efforts. That was abundantly clear this past Sunday against the Browns, as fans chanted "MVP!" at Maye after another impressive performance.
Although the quarterback said he didn't hear the chants, he emphasized his appreciation for the support and took the time to praise New England fans in a way that hasn't been heard much over the past five years.
It's a massive jump from the last time players spoke about Patriots fans, particularly Jahlani Tavai, who became a villain in their eyes from criticizing boos in the stadium last year.
Patriots fans are making a positive impact on the team this year - which is a nice change after a few difficult seasons
While speaking to reporters after their Week 8 win, Maye raved about how great the fans have been this year and how far they have come with their support. That new energy is being felt by the players, which was on full display during this week's game.
Drake Maye on #Patriots fans breaking out into ‘MVP’ chants towards him on Sunday:
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) October 26, 2025
“I didn’t hear it … but the fans have been awesome all season. Has been really cool to see the difference from last year. It’s been a journey.”
Play good football, get a good reaction from the fans, right?
It might be that simple, but Patriots fans expect good football from the team after two decades of dominance, so it's unsurprising that five years of mostly mediocrity began to weigh heavily on their support.
Fortunately, with Mike Vrabel in as the new head coach and Maye under center, the future looks bright, making it easy for fans to get excited again about what's to come. That's especially true, as they finish October with a 6-2 record, something they haven't accomplished in four years, and there are plenty of games left to be won.
That likely means that the fans in attendance at games will only grow louder in their cheering for the players, and Maye will almost certainly hear those MVP chants as the weeks go on.