Drake Maye’s sophomore NFL season was nothing short of electric - until the playoffs reminded us just how tough the learning curve can be for a young quarterback in this league.
Let’s start with the regular season, where Maye didn’t just take a step forward - he took a leap. The former Tar Heel lit up defenses for 4,394 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions.
Add in 450 yards and four scores on the ground, and you’ve got a dual-threat quarterback who looked every bit like a future MVP. It was a breakout campaign that showcased not only Maye’s arm talent and athleticism, but also the clear strides he made under the guidance of new head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Compare that to his rookie year - 2,276 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, 10 picks - and it’s obvious just how far he’s come. The Patriots’ coaching staff put him in positions to succeed, and Maye delivered in a big way throughout the regular season.
But the postseason? That was a different story.
Across four playoff games, Maye threw for 828 yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions. He added 178 rushing yards and a touchdown with his legs, but the spark that defined his regular season performances flickered under the bright lights of the playoffs. Against elite defenses like Denver and Seattle, Maye struggled with consistency and ball security - two things that had been strengths for him just weeks earlier.
NFL.com’s Nick Shook slotted Maye as the No. 5 quarterback heading into 2026, a fair nod to his high ceiling and regular season brilliance. But Shook didn’t shy away from the reality of Maye’s postseason struggles, noting that while the second-year QB made some big-time throws in key moments, the turnovers and inconsistency told the bigger story - especially in Super Bowl LX.
That game, a 29-13 loss to the Seahawks, was a tough watch for Patriots fans. Maye threw for 295 yards and two touchdowns, but also tossed two picks and lost a fumble.
And while the numbers don’t tell the full story, the tape does. Even when the offensive line gave him a clean pocket - which wasn’t often - Maye missed open receivers, looked hesitant, and at times, rattled.
To be fair, the Patriots’ offensive line didn’t do him many favors. The pressure was relentless against both Denver and Seattle, and Maye was forced to operate under duress more often than not. But even when he had time, the rhythm and decisiveness that defined his regular season seemed to vanish.
Still, let’s not lose sight of the big picture. Maye is only 23 years old.
He’s already played in a Super Bowl, led a playoff run, and put together one of the most impressive second-year campaigns we’ve seen in recent memory. The postseason exposed some flaws - sure.
But it also gave him invaluable experience. And if history tells us anything, it’s that great quarterbacks often take their lumps before they take over.
Maye’s got the tools, the coaching, and now the playoff scars. That’s a tough combination for the rest of the league to ignore.