As an NFL sophomore, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has completed 73.2% of his passes for 1,522 yards with ten touchdowns and two interceptions. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Boston Globe via Getty Images
The 2025 NFL MVP conversation could go on to include Drake Maye.
But at the midway point in October, there’s more to contend for than February honors. The 23-year-old under center has shown marked improvement with every start. His offense has gone wherever he has gone. In turn, so has his team.
The New England Patriots currently stand with as many wins as all of last season provided. And at 4-2, the record stands atop the AFC East for the first time since late in 2021.
March signing Stefon Diggs has been around Foxborough long enough to not be surprised by the quarterback.
“The same guy,” the veteran wide receiver told reporters during Wednesday’s locker room availability. “The same guy coming in each and every day. He grinds, cracks a couple jokes. He’s still keeping it loose. He’s not too tight. He’s not putting the carriage before the horse.”
This fall, Maye has completed 73.2% of his passes for 1,522 yards. Ten touchdowns have arrived though the air. Just two interceptions have. And while spreading the ball around to double-digit teammates, no picks have come during a stretch of three consecutive wins over the Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints.
The former North Carolina Tar Heel currently ranks behind only the Detroit Lions’ Jared Goff in completion percentage. He ranks fifth among the league’s quarterbacks in total passing yards and fourth both in passing yards per attempt and passer rating.
The efficiency doesn’t end there.
Per Sumer Sports and Next Gen Stats, Maye sits third in terms of total expected points added behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield and Indianapolis Colts’ Daniel Jones. The 2024 NFL draft’s No. 3 overall pick also finds himself second in completion percentage over expectation behind the Seattle Seahawks’ Sam Darnold.
“He’s out there grinding each and every day,” said Diggs, who has caught 32 of the 37 passes sent his direction for 387 yards. “So, I think it’s surprised everybody else. Like I said, it’s not a surprise to me.”
Head coach Mike Vrabel aimed for the Patriots to become aggressive, not reckless. That has held true through the decisions made by No. 10, who endured 34 sacks and 16 turnovers as a rookie Pro Bowl alternate.
Maye has remained a passer in the pocket and outside of it. Under the watch of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, he’s kept eyes downfield to find connections worth 25, 27, 29, 30, 30, 31, 32, 33, 53 and 55 yards. While possessing in-the-bucket arm talent, he’s also picked the right spots to use his mobility, rushing for 138 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
There have been ground pickups stretching 13, 15, 15 and 20 yards with his legs. There have also been five ground conversions on third down.
“I’m super excited for him, but I’m also really looking forward to him,” said Diggs. “Like, I feel like he can still get better. There’s plays out there he says, ‘Man, I wish I would have did this, I wish I would have did that.’ And I see it. I’m really looking forward to his maturation process. So far, so good.”
There’s a chance for the sophomore captain to add more on Sunday against a Tennessee Titans team he lost to in 2024.
Per the NFL, Maye can become the third quarterback under age 24 to post a passer rating north of 100 in each of his first four road starts of a season. He can also become the third quarterback under age 24 to record at least 200 passing yards and a passer rating north of 100 in six consecutive games, joining the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino.
Kickoff at Nissan Stadium is set for 1 p.m. ET.