Drake Maye is putting together the kind of season that doesn’t just turn heads-it turns the tide of a franchise. At 11-3, the Patriots are back in the postseason conversation in a big way, and Maye is at the heart of it all.
The rookie quarterback has been electric, poised, and-perhaps most importantly-consistently clutch. New England isn’t just winning games; they’re winning with purpose, and for the first time since the Brady era, there’s real Super Bowl buzz in Foxborough.
And it’s not just team success that’s following Maye. Individually, he’s right in the thick of the MVP race, holding the second-best odds behind Matthew Stafford.
That’s no small feat for a 23-year-old in his first NFL season. If he does take home the award, he’d become the youngest MVP since Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes both won it at that same age-a pretty elite group to be mentioned alongside.
But here’s where Maye separates himself-not just as a player, but as a leader. When asked about the MVP chatter, he didn’t lean into the hype.
He didn’t even entertain it for long. Instead, he pointed his focus right back to the team and the bigger goal: a Super Bowl.
“The MVP is obviously one of the big accolades for this league,” Maye said. “It’s an honor as a player to earn the award and I respect all the past MVPs, but I think at the end of the day winning a Super Bowl is the biggest thing.
That’s what you work towards and that’s what this game’s about. I love winning, and the personal accolades come with all that, but I’d rather win [the Super Bowl] than win personal awards.
People in that locker room, I know a lot of ‘em feel the same way.”
#Patriots QB Drake Maye when asked if he cares about winning MVP:
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) December 17, 2025
“The MVP is obviously one of the big accolades for this league… It’s an honor as a player to earn the award and I respect all the past MVPs, but I think at the end of the day winning a Super Bowl is the biggest… pic.twitter.com/mZh43OoOJa
That’s the kind of mindset that resonates in a locker room. It’s not just about putting up numbers-it’s about leading a team, keeping the focus on the collective mission, and staying grounded when the spotlight gets hot.
And make no mistake, the spotlight on Maye has been bright all season long. MVP chants have echoed through stadiums during Patriots games, and every time, Maye has brushed them off with the same cool composure he shows in the pocket.
The MVP will be announced the Thursday before the Super Bowl. If Maye’s name is called, it’ll be a well-earned honor.
But if you ask him, the real prize comes a few days later. And if he keeps playing the way he has, there’s a real chance he’ll be taking the field in the Big Game-not just as an MVP, but as the quarterback of a team chasing a championship.