The New England Patriots are on fire in the NFL, and it's fueled by their brilliant second-year quarterback, Drake Maye, who's right in the thick of the NFL's MVP discussion and occasioning thoughts of a 2001-like Patriots season. And it's not just outside observers who think he's special; his left tackle, rookie Will Campbell, thinks he's the best player in the NFL, as well.
Drake Maye has taken Mike Vrabel's Patriots from the bottom of the NFL barrel the past two seasons to a 9-2 record after 11 games in 2025. Of course, he's had help. Vrabel turned the 2024 roster inside-out, cutting ties with about 50 percent of those players and adding better players on both sides of the ball.
Though he has an 80 percent new O-line, Maye still has to deliver his heroics while being constantly harassed in the pocket when there is one. He's been sacked 36 times in 11 games, an average of 3.2 per game. At that rate, the 2025 sacks allowed will eclipse last season's dreadful 52. The 2025 O-line is better, but it's still making Maye's life difficult. Regardless, he's adapted and overcome.
Drake Maye is brushing aside deficiencies and delivering wins
Mike Vrabel's clearly stated goal upon taking the Patriots' job was to win the AFC East. At present, after Week 11, the Patriots are atop the Division, leading the second-place Bills. The key cog in the wheel has been his young quarterback, Maye. His left tackle, the still only 21-year-old Will Campbell, has high praise for Maye; he thinks "he's the best player in the NFL", not just the best quarterback.
Will Campbell on Drake Maye’s:
— Patriots on CLNS (@PatriotsCLNS) November 14, 2025
“I’m biased but I think he’s the best player in the NFL. There’s no game that we are out of when we have him.”
-@CLNSMedia pic.twitter.com/90JBkGgk22
The rookie knows of what he speaks. Maye is unflappable. As noted, he's getting battered from pillar to post. Yet, after any of his numerous hits, he scrapes himself off the turf, usually after completing his passes anyway, and continues to lead. As Campbell implies, the Patriots have a new leader, and they feel there's nothing they can't accomplish with Maye at the helm.
There's been no sophomore slump for the Patriots' young quarterback
As expected, any thoughts of a Drake Maye's sophomore slump were illusory. Rather, his second season has been a masterpiece, and a lot of the credit goes to Vrabel's roster restructuring. Yet, it's Maye who's been the fulcrum for all the progress.
Contrary to some observers' opinions, Maye did not have a poor 2024 season; quite the contrary. With a dreadful offensive line, poor receivers, and a lackluster and fumbling running game, he still managed to throw for a respectable 66 percent completion percentage with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. This season, with a better supporting cast, he's taken his game to an MVP level.
As Campbell says, he's playing as well as anyone, quarterback or otherwise, in the NFL right now. And that's despite still having an offensive line that's giving up sacks and hits at an alarming rate. Look for Vrabel to continue to invest in that unit heavily in the 2026 offseason. And it will pay big dividends.
Drake Maye was predicted to knock on the door of a 74 or 75 percent completion percentage with 30 touchdowns and only eight interceptions, and upwards of 3750 yards passing in 2025. He's on track to meet most of those predictions. His 2025 stats are already lofty.
He's sporting a 71.9 percent completion percentage, 20 touchdowns, with only five interceptions, and 2836 yards passing in 11 games. Will Campbell says Maye's the best player in the NFL, and soon there may be few NFL observers who won't feel the same. He's a franchise quarterback. Look for MVPs and Super Bowl titles in his future. And the best part for Patriot Nation is that the future is now.