Drake Maye’s MVP Surge Has Patriots Fans Believing Again
The New England Patriots may have lost their grip on the AFC’s top seed over the weekend, with the Denver Broncos sliding into that coveted No. 1 spot. But make no mistake-this Patriots team is very much in the thick of the Super Bowl conversation.
And the biggest reason why? Drake Maye.
In just his second NFL season, Maye has taken a massive leap forward, evolving from promising rookie to full-blown franchise quarterback. He’s not just playing well-he’s playing like one of the best quarterbacks in football. And if you ask Patriots fans, he’s not just in the MVP conversation-he is the MVP.
According to a recent fan survey, a staggering 85% of Patriots fans believe Maye deserves the league’s most prestigious individual award. And they’re not shy about saying why.
One fan put it simply: “Maye certainly has earned it up to this point.” Hard to argue with that. The Patriots are sitting at 11-2, and without Maye’s poise, arm talent, and leadership, they’re likely nowhere near that mark.
Another fan added some historical perspective, noting the NFL’s love for quarterback rivalries. “The league loves marketing and promoting its young QBs,” they said, referencing legendary matchups like Brady vs.
Manning. “Stafford is 37.
Maye is 23. In 3-4 years, people will be clamoring for Maye jerseys while Stafford is talking about him during halftime shows.”
That’s the kind of long-term thinking that underscores just how valuable Maye already is-not just to the Patriots, but to the league as a whole.
Of course, not every fan is convinced the MVP hardware will end up in Foxborough. Some are skeptical that league-wide biases could work against Maye.
“He should be the MVP,” one fan wrote, “but the league-wide hatred of the Patriots will keep him from winning it. They’ll give it to Stafford.”
Still, even those fans acknowledge Maye’s impact. One comment summed it up best: “He sure as hell is the MVP for the Patriots, which in turn probably makes him the MVP of the league. There’s just no way the Pats are where they are at if not for him.”
And that’s the core of the argument. This isn’t just about stats-though Maye’s numbers have been outstanding.
It’s about value. It’s about the way he’s elevated the entire team, especially in a season where the Patriots’ run game has been inconsistent and the offensive line has battled injuries.
Maye has been the constant, the engine driving one of the league’s most efficient offenses.
Even those who acknowledge Stafford’s strong season concede that Maye is right there with him. “If Stafford ends up getting it, good for him,” one fan wrote. “But Maye has earned his spot atop the list.”
Patriots Fans Still Confident in AFC Playoff Race
Beyond Maye’s MVP buzz, Patriots fans are feeling optimistic about the team’s postseason outlook. Despite slipping from the top spot in the AFC, 72% of fans still believe the road to the Super Bowl will run through Foxborough.
That confidence has rebounded after a dip in Week 13, when injuries-particularly along the offensive line-raised some concern. But a pre-bye win over the Giants helped restore faith, pushing fan confidence back up from 91%.
Nationally, the belief in New England is strong too. A recent survey showed that 81% of fans expect the Patriots to win the AFC East. They’ll have a chance to lock up the division this Sunday with a win over the Buffalo Bills.
The Bottom Line
Drake Maye has done more than just play well-he’s changed the trajectory of the Patriots franchise. He’s made them contenders again. And with four weeks left in the regular season, he’s in the driver’s seat for the MVP race.
Whether or not he takes home the trophy, Patriots fans know what they have: a 23-year-old quarterback who looks like the future of the league. And in New England, the future is starting to look a lot like the past-dominant, confident, and built on the back of elite quarterback play.