Drake Maye is on the verge of making history - and he's doing it in style.
The New England Patriots’ young quarterback is heading to Super Bowl LX in just his second season in the league, becoming the first quarterback to reach the big game this early in his career since Ben Roethlisberger did it back in 2009. And with the way Maye has played this season, it’s no surprise he’s not just making headlines - he’s firmly in the MVP conversation.
Now, with a date set against the Seattle Seahawks on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium, Maye finds himself in rare company. And Roethlisberger, the man whose record Maye is about to challenge, is watching closely - and with mixed emotions.
“I think he's got a chance to break my youngest quarterback record that's been running for a long, long time now, which I'm rooting for,” Roethlisberger said on the First Things First podcast. “I'm rooting for him, but I'm not rooting for the Patriots, because then, they pass the Steelers on the list of most Super Bowls, so I'm kind of torn there.”
That’s the kind of honesty you get from a guy who’s been there - and won it. Roethlisberger was just 23 when he led the Steelers to a 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, throwing for 256 yards and a touchdown on 21-of-30 passing. It was a performance that etched his name into NFL lore, and now Maye is looking to carve out his own chapter.
And Big Ben isn’t just watching from afar - he’s offering some veteran wisdom, too.
“The advice that I would give him is just let the game come to you,” Roethlisberger said. “If you try and do too much, you can really get yourself in a pickle.”
It’s the kind of advice that resonates, especially considering how Maye has played this postseason. He’s been poised, efficient, and dangerous - the kind of triple threat that can give even the most disciplined defense headaches. Roethlisberger pointed to Maye’s ability to extend plays with his legs as a key to his success, and that’s been evident throughout the playoffs.
“He's been playing so well right now, utilizing his legs, and I think that's where he can kind of shine,” Roethlisberger added. “If it's not there, take off and let your legs be the catalyst to get you that first down or whatever. As the game kind of comes to him, he just seems to keep playing better and better.”
That’s not just lip service. Maye’s numbers back it up.
He wrapped up the regular season with 4,394 passing yards and 31 touchdowns, completing a league-best 72% of his throws. In the playoffs, he’s added another 533 yards and four touchdowns through the air, showing no signs of slowing down.
Now, the stage is set. The Seahawks bring a fast, physical defense that thrives on disruption, but Maye has shown he can handle pressure - both in the pocket and on the scoreboard. He’s been calm, calculated, and creative, and if he can carry that same energy into Super Bowl Sunday, he just might find himself in the same breath as Roethlisberger - not just for getting there young, but for winning it all.
No matter the outcome, one thing’s clear: Drake Maye isn’t just arriving - he’s announcing himself to the football world. And if Roethlisberger’s rooting for him, you know he’s doing something right.