Drake Maye has been dialed in virtually all season. He's been everything the New England Patriots hoped for and more in his second NFL campaign, firmly establishing himself as their franchise quarterback.
Expectations for Maye have been high since New England selected him No. 3 overall in the 2024 draft. Many (rightfully) anticipated a steeper learning curve following a tumultuous rookie year, but his rapid ascension has the Patriots ahead of schedule. What he's doing isn't just impressing folks in Foxborough; it's got the attention of the national media.
Maye is among the frontrunners for 2025 MVP honors, but the race is heating up as we get through the stretch run. He was asked about it when addressing the media during the Patriots' Week 16 preparation for the Baltimore Ravens, and his answer was perfect.
Drake Maye's response to MVP buzz has Patriots fans ready to run through a brick wall
As the true-blue candidates for arguably the most prestigious award in football typically do, Maye took the high road. He acknowledged that just being in contention for MVP is special and saluted those who previously won it. Nevertheless, his sights are set on a different hardware: the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
"The MVP is obviously one of the big accolades for this league, and it's something that is an honor as a player to earn that award, and I respect all the past MVPs, but I think at the end of the day, winning the Super Bowl is the biggest thing. I think it's what kind of makes this league go is winning the big one. That's what you work toward, and that's what this game is about. I love winning, and the personal accolades come with all that, but I'd rather win than win personal awards. I hope people in that locker room -- I know a lot of them feel the same way."Drake Maye via Patriots.com
While it may not have been the message Maye was trying to convey, he illustrated why the buzz surrounding him is growing so loud. The 23-year-old is a charismatic leader who's beyond his years, on top of being an elite dual-threat signal-caller.
Moreover, Maye's selfless, team-first mentality is contagious. He's so clearly bought into the greater good of the Patriots, and it's among the many reasons why they're legitimate championship threats. Few, if any, fans thought that was a plausible outcome in 2025, yet his efforts have vaulted New England back into the AFC's upper ecehlon.