Drake Maye is starting to look less like a rookie and more like a franchise quarterback with every snap he takes-and Sunday’s performance against the Ravens might’ve been his finest yet.
Down 24-13 in the fourth quarter, Maye led the New England Patriots to a gritty 28-24 comeback win over Baltimore, showcasing poise under pressure that belied his age and experience. The rookie quarterback went 31-of-44 for 380 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, while also adding 25 yards on the ground. But it wasn’t just the numbers-it was how and when he delivered them.
In the final quarter, Maye was under duress on nearly half of his dropbacks. Baltimore’s pass rush came hard and often, but Maye stood tall in the pocket, took hits, and kept delivering strikes.
That kind of resilience is what separates the good from the great at this level. And if Sunday was any indication, Maye is trending toward the latter.
“He was money,” said analyst Colin Cowherd on Monday, emphasizing how Maye thrived despite the pressure. “Trailing, getting hit, drive them down the field-that’s a star quarterback.”
It’s hard to argue. Maye’s command of the offense in crunch time was veteran-level stuff. He wasn’t just managing the game-he was taking it over.
Cowherd also drew a parallel between this Patriots team and the Chargers of recent years-a talented squad with a high-ceiling quarterback and a sharp coaching staff, punching above expectations. “They’re still in a rebuild,” he noted.
“Drake Maye’s only 23 years old. He was the rawest of all the quarterbacks in his class.
Yet now he’s a top eight, nine, ten quarterback.”
That’s a bold statement, but one that’s gaining traction. Maye entered the league as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and while there were questions about how quickly he’d adjust to the pro game, he’s answered them with authority. He earned a Pro Bowl nod as a rookie and has only elevated his play in Year 2.
Now, with 3,947 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, just eight interceptions, and four more scores on the ground, Maye is firmly in the MVP conversation. More importantly, he’s leading a 12-3 Patriots team that sits atop the AFC East and has already punched its ticket to the postseason.
But the job’s not done. The Buffalo Bills are right behind at 11-4, and the race for the AFC’s top seed is still very much alive.
That makes Week 17’s matchup against the New York Jets more than just a formality. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
ET on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, and while the Jets come in at 3-12, division games are never a given-especially this late in the season.
Still, with Maye playing at this level, the Patriots have every reason to feel confident. He’s not just the future in New England-he’s the present. And if he keeps this up, the AFC might have a new powerhouse to deal with for years to come.