The rocket ship that is Drake Maye’s Most Valuable Player campaign nearly launched into orbit on Nov. 2 during the New England Patriots’ 24–23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Instead, an uneven second half and two costly turnovers cooled some of the hype surrounding the rookie quarterback’s meteoric rise.
Still, Drake Maye turned in another poised and productive outing one that reaffirmed why his name has steadily crept into the midseason MVP conversation. Most oddsmakers had the 23-year-old holding the third-best odds to win the award entering Week 9. And while it’s still unlikely that a first-year starter on a team that won only four games last season will take home the league’s top individual honor, Maye’s performance has the Patriots playing meaningful football in November and potentially January.
“It’s tough in a game where you win and you can feel in that locker room that these guys know we can play better,” Maye said after the game. “I think it’s a good feeling to have, but also at the same time it’s tough to win in this league, so you’ve got to enjoy it.”
Behind first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, the Patriots have undergone a total culture transformation. Once adrift in the post-Tom Brady era, New England now sits at 7–2, tied for first in the AFC. Vrabel’s steady leadership and hard-nosed approach have been instrumental in reshaping a locker room that had grown accustomed to disappointment.
And then there’s Drake Maye. The rookie quarterback has now recorded eight consecutive games with more than 200 passing yards and a passer rating over 100 tying Brady’s 2007 team record and marking the second-longest such streak in NFL history.
Facing the league’s top-ranked pass defense, which had allowed just 149 passing yards per game, Maye threw for 172 yards and two touchdowns by halftime.
Through the season’s first nine weeks, Drake Maye’s statistical profile has placed him in elite company. Some advanced metrics even put him alongside names like Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, and, of course, Brady. The fact that he’s produced consistently against a wide range of opponents speaks volumes about his adaptability and poise.
But winning MVP will take more than numbers. For voters, team success often tips the scales, and Drake Maye’s candidacy will depend heavily on whether the Patriots can finish atop the AFC. Key matchups against the New York Jets (twice), the Miami Dolphins, and a high-profile Monday night clash with the New York Giants could define both Maye’s MVP hopes and New England’s playoff path.
There’s also the annual anti-quarterback sentiment to consider voters may look to reward a non-QB, such as Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, for the first time since Adrian Peterson’s win in 2012.
Drake Maye’s youth and inexperience remain apparent, even amid his success. His first-half fumble on Sunday stemmed from poor ball security in the pocket, allowing rookie linebacker Jalon Walker to jar the ball loose. Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. nearly returned it for a touchdown, saved only by rookie left tackle Will Campbell’s hustle play.
Later, a third-quarter overthrow was picked off by safety Jessie Bates, leading to a sideline exchange between Vrabel and his quarterback.
“He’s hard on me, but he’s very positive, and I think he wants the best out of me,” Drake Maye said. “Everything that he says to me, I think it’s going to be important and become true.”
Vrabel’s demanding but constructive coaching style seems to be helping maybe mature in real time learning when to take risks and when to protect the football.
That maturity process was evident early, when Drake Maye absorbed a big hit on a 12-yard scramble instead of sliding safely. Those fearless “hero ball” moments have produced highlight plays but also close calls, including his late first-half fumble. Managing that instinct is part of his growth as a franchise quarterback.
Still, Drake Maye continues to shine in critical situations. The Patriots converted six of their first seven third downs, many on the strength of Maye’s arm. On a crucial third-and-12 in the fourth quarter, he fired a 25-yard strike to Stefon Diggs between defenders a veteran-level throw that kept a key drive alive.
“He puts it in places that definitely makes it in a tough spot easier for us,” tight end Hunter Henry told.
Henry praised Drake Maye’s natural accuracy and confidence.
“I don’t think he’s ever not had that accuracy,” Henry added. “He’s just continuing to develop and gain confidence in the system. We just put a lot of work in, and he throws an easy ball to catch.”
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who returned to New England this offseason, has tailored the playbook to Drake Maye’s strengths. A perfect example came on Maye’s first touchdown of the game a wheel route to DeMario “Pop” Douglas, who was lined up in the backfield to exploit a linebacker mismatch. Maye dropped a flawless pass over the defender for six points.
“I love this team,” said Douglas, who recorded his first 100-yard game. “I can’t wait to see how far we go.”
For all the excitement surrounding Drake Maye’s potential, the NFL MVP race is a marathon, not a sprint. There’s plenty of football left, and the rookie’s consistency down the stretch will determine whether his name stays in that elite conversation.
Still, for a player barely halfway through his first professional season, Drake Maye has already reignited hope in Foxborough and reminded the league that the Patriots’ next great quarterback era might already be here.