The New England Patriots have taken the NFL by storm and solidified that sentiment by beating the New York Jets, 27-14, upping their 2025 record to a lofty 9-2. The Patriots now sit alone atop the AFC East, and as Mike Reiss of ESPN noted, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is in the middle of the NFL's MVP conversation.
The Patriots' 9-2 record, with an eight-game winning streak to boot, is a far cry from the dilapidated 2023 and 2024 teams. Those duds combined for seven wins, one of which was gift-wrapped from the giddy Buffalo Bills, keeping the Patriots from securing the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
Now, in a dramatic turn of events, speculation is rampant that surging Patriots' second-year quarterback Drake Maye is squarely in the MVP conversation. And Mike Reiss, a well-respected Patriots observer, has him right in the hunt for the NFL's most coveted individual prize.
Drake Maye is in the middle of this season's MVP race in just his second NFL season
Mike Reiss of ESPN outlined five reasons why Drake Maye is a top NFL MVP competitor, and it's not just because he covers the Patriots for the network.
For a second-year quarterback to even be mentioned in the MVP race is nice. To be actually considered a favorite is a horse of a different color. Yet, there are still six games to be played, so Maye must keep up his excellence in the five areas Reiss mentioned and more to land the most coveted individual NFL prize.
MIke Reiss's five areas of Drake Maye's excellence
Reiss summarizes Drake Maye's five areas of excellence as: Leadership; spreading the ball around with accuracy; mastery of McDaniel's offensive system; mobility and durability; and the deep ball. Hard to argue with one of the best in the business.
Maye is clearly the leader of the offense. He's gained more confidence weekly, and there's no doubt who the offense's top man is. In addition, Maye's completion percentage is a key factor. After a poor game (51.5 percent completions) against Tampa Bay, he rebounded with a 73.5 percent completion percentage against the Jets, raising his season percentage to a lofty 71.9%.
Also, four wide receivers are contributing to the passing game, as well as the tight ends and running back TreVeyon Henderson. Mastery of McDaniels' offense is also adding to his MVP credentials. McDaniels also needed time to adapt to Maye's abilities; regardless, both have to be in sync, and the synchronicity is improving weekly. Maye is also using his mobility to avoid serious injury, though he's taking devastating hits weekly.
As far as adding the deep ball to his repertoire, it's been a massive enhancement. Backup quarterback Tommy DeVito had this to say, as cited by Reiss,
"'[Maye] does a really good job taking what's there throughout the game and not forcing the deep ball. So that way when it is there, he hits it. It's a splash play and everything is very clean. He throws a very clean ball,' DeVito said. 'He does a good job of manipulating defenders and giving guys a chance. And guys on the outside have made a lot of great plays.'"
Maye's completion percentage and his touchdown-to-interception ratio both have to stay high. The latter stat is also brilliant, as he now has 20 touchdowns to only five interceptions, an MVP-worthy ratio. Rushing yards are also helpful, especially if touchdowns are at the end of them. And, of course, winning enters into the equation. If you're the quarterback of a Division winner, it helps.
If an NFL quarterback seeks to win the MVP award, he has to be the best of the best and rise above all obstacles. Drake Maye's final six games will determine if he's at that level now. One thing is certain, though: the Patriots are back, and both the team and Maye may be on their way to NFL glory.