Patriots' fans know that Drake Maye has the potential to be a superstar in the NFL, and more importantly, the team's franchise quarterback for the next generation. His rookie year was an example of that; despite going 3-9 as a starter, he threw 15 touchdown passes and posted an 88.1 passer rating.
The Patriots are surely expecting more out of Maye in 2025, especially with a restructured coaching staff and roster around him. Even fantasy football experts believe that Maye will be a no-brainerchoice for fantasy owners this season.
Pro Football Network seems to agree, as they listed Maye as the Patriots' most obvious Most Valuable Player candidate for this upcoming season. Should New England mold its way into a playoff contender this season, that's a valuable conversation to have.
But is asking Maye to play like a Lamar Jackson or a Josh Allen a bit too much for a second-year quarterback?
MVP-like expectations for Maye should be tempered a bit
The last thing the Patriots want to do this season is to put everything on Maye's shoulders. That's part of why they focused on upgrading their defense in free agency - as great as the signing of Stefon Diggs is, there's no need to put a heavy load on Maye.
Yes, the Patriots will need Maye to make strides from his rookie campaign if they're going to be successful this season. Yes, eventually he'll be in the MVP conversation in this league, his talent is just too good not to be. But it may be a little too early to have this type of conversation.
Let's see what Maye can do with a top wide receiver such as Diggs and a rebuilt offensive line. He also will have a quality backfield behind him and a talented defense on the opposite side of the ball, so it's doubtful Maye will be asked to play any sort of hero ball this season.
The quarterback is usually the centerpiece of a football team, but asking Maye to be the entire focus of it may create too much pressure and do more harm than good.