Drake Maye is already making waves in New England - and not just because he’s the new face of the franchise. The rookie quarterback has delivered a regular season that would make even seasoned veterans take notice, completing 72% of his passes for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns.
That’s not just efficient - that’s MVP-level production. And while he’s had some hiccups with turnovers in recent weeks, Maye now stands one win away from doing something even Tom Brady never managed: winning a playoff game in Denver.
That shot comes this Sunday, when the Patriots head to Empower Field at Mile High to face the Broncos with a trip to Super Bowl LX on the line. It’s a chance for Maye to cement his place in Patriots lore - and he’s only in Year One.
From the moment he was drafted in 2024, expectations were sky-high for Maye. And he’s lived up to the billing.
A former ACC Player of the Year at North Carolina, he brought a rare blend of arm talent, poise, and football IQ to the league. But what’s stood out just as much as his on-field play is the way he carries himself off of it.
At UNC, Maye wasn’t just torching defenses - he was also getting it done in the classroom. He earned a spot on the All-ACC Academic Football Team in 2023, which requires at least a 3.0 GPA for the semester and across a student-athlete’s academic career, along with appearing in at least half of the team’s games. According to reports, Maye posted a 3.2 GPA as a business administration major - a nod to the discipline and work ethic that’s clearly translated to the NFL.
Now, with the AFC Championship looming, the stakes couldn’t be higher. But Maye isn’t blinking. Asked about the challenge of playing in Denver - a notoriously tough playoff environment - he kept it simple: he’s going to let it rip.
“Trying to get the ball out of my hand and just being cognizant of the edge rushers and taking care of the football is the No. 1 thing,” Maye told reporters. “If we have time and have a look downfield, you know me, I’m gonna take a shot.”
That’s the mindset of a quarterback who’s not just managing games - he’s trying to win them.
The Patriots haven’t been to a Super Bowl since the 2018 season. But with Maye at the helm, they’re knocking on the door again.
He’s already proven he belongs in the big moments. Now, he’s got a chance to make history - and maybe, just maybe, start writing the next great chapter of Patriots football.