Drake Maye’s First Playoff Run Is Already Outpacing Brady’s - Now He’s One Win Away from History
Drake Maye was never going to escape the Tom Brady comparisons the moment he stepped into Foxborough. That’s just the reality of being a Patriots quarterback post-dynasty. But after just two seasons, Maye isn’t just living in Brady’s shadow - he’s starting to carve out his own legacy.
With an MVP-caliber campaign in Year 2 and a trip to Super Bowl 60 on the line, Maye has put together a postseason run that’s starting to turn heads - and not just in New England. The numbers, the moments, and the path he’s taken to get here all suggest this isn’t just a promising start. It might be something special.
Let’s take a look at how Maye’s first playoff run stacks up against Brady’s from 2001-02 - the one that launched a two-decade dynasty.
Maye vs. Brady: The Numbers Tell a Story
Before Super Bowl 60 kicks off, Maye’s three-game playoff resume is already outpacing what Brady did during his first postseason, which ended with a win in Super Bowl 36. And while Brady’s run included that iconic upset over the Rams, Maye’s journey has been more statistically robust - and arguably more demanding.
Here’s how the two compare through three games:
| Stat | Maye (2026) | Brady (2002) |
|---|
| Completions | 43 | 60 | | Attempts | 77 | 97 |
| Completion % | 55.8 | 61.9 | | Passing Yards | 533 | 572 |
| Yards/Attempt | 6.9 | 5.9 | | Passing TDs | 4 | 1 |
| INTs | 2 | 1 | | Passer Rating | 84.0 | 77.3 |
| Sacks Taken | 15 | 5 | | Rush Attempts | 24 | 8 |
| Rush Yards | 141 | 22 | | Rush Yards/Attempt | 5.9 | 2.8 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 | 1 |
Maye’s passing numbers are solid, but his rushing production is what really separates him. That dual-threat ability has been a game-changer for the Patriots’ offense, especially in tight spots. He’s not just managing games - he’s winning them with his legs and arm.
Yes, the sack numbers are high, but that’s part of the trade-off with a mobile QB extending plays. And more often than not, Maye’s been making those extra seconds count.
The Playoff Path: Maye Faced the Fire
Both quarterbacks led No. 2-seeded Patriots teams into the postseason. But the playoff format has changed since Brady’s first run.
Back in 2001, the top two seeds got byes - meaning Brady needed just two wins to reach the Super Bowl. Maye had to go through three.
Brady’s Patriots beat the No. 3 Raiders at home (in the infamous "Tuck Rule" game) and then upset the No.
1 Steelers in Pittsburgh. Maye’s squad handled the No.
7 Chargers and No. 5 Texans at home before going into Denver and knocking off the No.
1 Broncos.
That’s not an easy road. And when you factor in the quality of defenses Maye faced - the Chargers, Texans, and Broncos all ranked in the top seven against the pass - it’s clear he’s earned every bit of this Super Bowl berth.
For context, Brady’s opponents ranked 7th, 8th, and 10th in pass defense. Maye’s trio?
5th, 6th, and 7th. And now he’s set to face the Seahawks, who boast the league’s No. 11 pass defense.
Offensive Output: More Than Just the QB
Some critics have pointed to the Patriots’ scoring output - 54 points across three playoff games - and questioned whether Maye has truly elevated the offense. But let’s not forget: Brady’s Patriots scored just 60 points in their three-game run. And Maye has done it against tougher defenses in a more pass-heavy, pressure-packed era.
When you watch the tape, Maye’s fingerprints are all over the Patriots’ biggest plays. Whether it’s a third-down scramble to extend a drive or a perfectly placed ball in the red zone, he’s been the engine.
And while the defense has certainly held up its end of the bargain, this isn’t a case of a quarterback riding the coattails of a dominant unit. Maye is leading.
Super Bowl 60: Maye’s Moment to Separate
Brady’s Super Bowl 36 performance was efficient, not electric. He went 16-of-27 for 145 yards and a touchdown - a modest line that was overshadowed by the defense’s masterclass against the “Greatest Show on Turf.” Ty Law and Otis Smith were the real game-wreckers that day, locking down Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt while Belichick’s game plan stifled the Rams’ high-octane attack.
Still, Brady got the MVP for orchestrating the game-winning drive in the final 1:21 - the first of many clutch moments that would define his career.
Maye now has a chance to write his own Super Bowl chapter. If he can deliver a clean game - no turnovers, a couple of touchdowns, and some timely scrambles - he’s not just winning a ring. He’s likely locking up Super Bowl MVP and putting an exclamation point on one of the best first postseason runs we’ve seen from a quarterback.
The Legacy Conversation Starts Now
Let’s be clear: No one is crowning Maye the next Brady just yet. One Super Bowl win doesn’t make a dynasty. But the fact that we’re even having this conversation - that Maye’s numbers, impact, and poise are already being measured against the GOAT’s - says everything about the kind of season he’s had.
Brady’s legend was built on consistency, clutch performances, and championships. Maye has a long way to go to match that. But as he prepares to take the field for Super Bowl 60, he’s already done something remarkable: He’s made the comparison feel real.
Now, it’s time to see if he can finish the job.