Patriots' star quickly shuts down Drake Maye comparison that just won't stop

In the years before the Patriots selected Drake Maye with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the organization had longed to find their true successor to quarterback Tom Brady, but that successor was not found in the various players they had under center.

So when they had the opportunity to pick a player with all the potential in the world to be that guy, they took it, and they've already been proven right with just how good Maye has been so far. His second-year jump has been one of the most impressive aspects of his career, as he's outplaying some of the league's most tenured quarterbacks, prompting comparisons to a superstar, most notably Josh Allen.

Because the Patriots are welcoming the Bills to Gillette Stadium this weekend, the narrative surrounding Maye and Allen remains a key talking point to fans and the media, so it's unsurprising that players were asked about it.

What makes some of their responses great, specifically WR DeMario Douglas, is that he respectfully yet swiftly shuts it down, proving just how much this team believes in their quarterback.

DeMario Douglas puts an end to the Drake Maye-Josh Allen comparisons ahead of the Patriots' rematch

Douglas was asked about those comparisons earlier this week, and rather than feeding into the talking point that has gained steam, Douglas made it clear that the team doesn't do comparisons because Maye is his own guy.

That's the way the handle this kind of question, despite how obviously complimentary it is for Maye.

Clearly, the fact that analysts and fans see aspects of one of the NFL's best quarterbacks in Maye is incredibly flattering for the 23-year-old and exciting for the fans. If he can help lead the Patriots to that much success and more, as Allen has done for the Bills, then they have definitely hit the jackpot.

But there also needs to be room for Maye to become his own player and not put in someone else's shadow because they are of similar build or play the game in a way that is reminiscent of each other.

Comparing him to Allen also puts a lot of pressure on him to succeed early and often, which is not something that the Patriots will want him to burden so early in his career. It's been something New England fans have mentioned with the GOAT talk with Patrick Mahomes, and they certainly don't want to taint any success Maye has because of the media's comparisons to Allen.

Regardless, Douglas is supporting Maye in a way that the fans can certainly get behind, and it also adds a bit more fun to their upcoming matchup on Sunday. We'll have to see how each quarterback fares, and hopefully, Maye will come out the victor again.