Caleb Williams vs. Drake Maye: The Debate Isn’t Over-But Super Bowl LX Tilted the Scales
The 2024 NFL Draft gave us one of the most hotly debated quarterback decisions in recent memory: Caleb Williams to the Bears at No. 1, and Drake Maye landing with the Patriots at No. 3.
Now, with both quarterbacks having wrapped up their sophomore seasons-and Maye taking New England all the way to Super Bowl LX-it’s tempting to declare a winner. But the reality?
It’s still close. And if anything, Maye’s performance on the biggest stage may have helped bolster Williams’ case as the top overall pick.
Let’s start with the obvious. Maye went further in the playoffs.
That’s a fact. He led the Patriots to the Super Bowl, while Williams and the Bears bowed out in the NFC Divisional Round against the Rams.
But the context matters-and so does the tape.
In the Super Bowl, Maye put up solid yardage-295 passing yards on 27-of-43 attempts with two touchdowns-but also turned the ball over three times (two picks and a lost fumble) in a 29-13 loss to the Seahawks. That’s not the kind of performance that quiets critics. In fact, it gave them more fuel.
Over the full postseason, Maye completed 58.3% of his passes for 828 yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions, plus that fumble. Williams, by comparison, had a 52.2% completion rate for 618 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions.
On paper, Maye had the edge. But numbers don’t always tell the full story.
Williams may not have lit up the stat sheet, but he delivered in big moments against tougher competition. His playoff run included a gutsy Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers and a hard-fought battle with the Rams.
Both teams had battle-tested defenses, and Williams was under pressure throughout. Still, he made the kind of throws that make you believe he’s built for the big stage: a fourth-down strike to Rome Odunze against the Packers, and a clutch game-tying touchdown to Cole Kmet in the fourth quarter versus the Rams.
Maye’s path to the Super Bowl was impressive on the surface, but a deeper look shows his road may have been a little smoother. The Patriots beat the Chargers and Texans in the earlier rounds-both solid teams, but ones with postseason baggage.
Those two opponents combined for six turnovers against New England. Then in the AFC Championship, Maye faced a Broncos team missing its starting quarterback.
The Patriots offense managed just 10 points in that game.
So yes, Maye reached the Super Bowl, and that’s no small feat for a second-year quarterback. But when you look at how he got there-and how he played once he arrived-it’s fair to say the performance didn’t exactly slam the door shut on the debate.
The truth is, both quarterbacks have shown flashes of greatness and moments of growing pains. Williams brings elite athleticism and playmaking outside the pocket.
Maye operates with poise and efficiency from within it. It’s not a question of who’s better right now-it’s more about who will take the next step.
Year 3 is going to be pivotal. Williams has the tools to separate himself, but Maye’s already proven he can lead a team deep into January-and February.
The margin between them is razor-thin, and the league is better for it. This isn’t a rivalry that’s going away anytime soon.