The New England Patriots may have found their next franchise quarterback.
Drake Maye has looked very good in his first full year as a starter, and the advanced stats have been even more impressive than the eye test.
As a matter of fact, Maye has joined an exclusive list of elite young quarterbacks.
“Through five games, Drake Maye has been the third-best second-year QB in NFL history by EPA/play. Maye sits behind 2018 MVP [Patrick] Mahomes and ahead of 2021 Justin Herbert,” Brady Penn wrote on X.
Through 5 games, Drake Maye has been the third best second-year QB in NFL history by EPA/play. Maye sits behind 2018 MVP Mahomes and ahead of 2021 Justin Herbert pic.twitter.com/7RLdz9XoXv
— Brady Penn (@bradypenn21) October 8, 2025
The Patriots made a big statement by taking down Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills on the road in Week 5.
Maye had plenty to do with that, showing improved chemistry with wide receiver Stefon Diggs and making some highlight passes down the stretch.
He made a falling throw to Diggs to set up the game-winning score that even impressed Bills fans.
The Patriots’ quarterback position will always be associated with Tom Brady, so expecting Maye or anybody else to live up to that isn’t realistic or fair.
Then again, fans will always hold any New England quarterback to a different and higher standard.
While he still has a long way to go to enter that conversation, Maye doesn’t have to be the next Brady for the Patriots to be successful and maybe even win another Super Bowl.
It’s early, but the combination of Maye and head coach Mike Vrabel has gotten off to a very promising start.
NEXT: Rob Gronkowski Has Strong Belief About Drake Maye
