Patriots Stock Watch: Drake Maye Delivers Late, Shows Growth Ahead of Jets Matchup
FOXBOROUGH - As the Patriots get ready for their season finale against the Jets, there’s plenty to unpack from last week’s comeback win. Let’s break down who’s trending up, who’s cooling off, and who fans should keep an eye on heading into Sunday.
Stock Up
Drake Maye, QB
This was a big moment for the rookie quarterback - not because he was perfect, but because he bounced back when it mattered most.
After a frustrating outing the week before, where he had two chances to lead game-winning drives and came up short, Maye flipped the script this time. Down by 11 points with just 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the rookie showed poise beyond his years. He led back-to-back touchdown drives, both of which required him to dig deep and trust his arm - and his teammates.
The first drive covered 73 yards in seven plays, capped off by a beautiful deep ball to rookie wideout Kyle Williams. It was the kind of throw that reminds you why Maye was a top pick - touch, timing, and confidence all rolled into one.
The second drive, even more impressive, went 89 yards over eight plays. This one demanded poise under pressure.
Maye stayed locked in through a missed defensive pass interference call and then converted a critical fourth down. That’s the kind of resilience that coaches love and teammates rally around.
Maye admitted last week’s struggles served as a “wake-up call,” and it showed. His performance wasn’t flawless - he had two turnovers earlier in the game - but what matters is how he responded. And when the game was on the line, Maye delivered.
With the Jets coming to town and the season winding down, this is a key moment in Maye’s development. He’s already shown flashes of what he can be.
Now he’s showing he can learn, adjust, and lead. And that’s exactly what you want to see from your franchise quarterback.