Drake Maye MVP Case: Why Patriots QB Deserves 2025 Award

When the Patriots selected quarterback Drake Maye with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, they believed that they had found a franchise cornerstone after wandering aimlessly in the strange wilderness of the post-Tom Brady era.

In Maye’s rookie season, New England finished at the bottom of the AFC East standings with a 4-13 record, but the former North Carolina star flashed his potential. Still, no one — not even the executives in the Patriots’ front office — could have predicted what would come next.

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Under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, Maye emerged as one of the best QBs in the NFL, leading the Patriots to a 14-3 record and division title. It may be early in his career, but Maye showed why he should already be considered the MVP of the league.

Let’s break down Maye’s MVP case and why he should be the award winner.

Drake Maye MVP Case: Why Pats Star Deserves 2025 Award

The argument for Maye starts with impressive stats. He threw for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns and just eight interceptions this season. He led the league in completion percentage (72.0), yards per attempt (8.9), QBR (77.1) and passer rating (113.5).

Maye’s legs also made him much more dangerous than a typical pocket passer. He ran for 450 yards, four touchdowns and 38 first downs, and he routinely extended plays, finding targets down the field for big gains.

While Maye isn’t solely responsible for New England’s record, wins are always a piece of the MVP discussion. The Patriots went from worst to first in their division and finished the regular season at 14-3, tied for the best mark in the NFL with the Broncos and Seahawks.

As for the comparison to Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, the other primary MVP candidate, Maye has the upper hand. Stafford threw for more yards (4,707) and touchdowns (46), but he had 105 more passing attempts than Maye. The efficiency and accuracy factors lean heavily toward Maye, and the rushing numbers aren’t close. Stafford didn’t run for a single first down in the regular season.

While Maye has a solid offensive unit, Stafford is working with Puka Nacua, one of the best weapons in the league, and Sean McVay, one of the NFL’s best play-callers. Maye is operating under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels for the first time, unlike Stafford, who has multiple years under his belt with McVay and his system.

Some Maye detractors have asserted that he benefited from an easy schedule. However, as ESPN’s Bill Barnwell noted, “overall team strength isn’t the same thing as the strength of the opposing pass defense.”

“Using each team’s finish in pass defense EPA per play from NFL Next Gen Stats, Maye’s average opponent ranked 20th against the pass this season. Stafford’s average opponent was 17th,” Barnwell wrote. “Do the same test with QBR instead of pass defense EPA, and their schedules were virtually identical; Maye’s average opponent ranked 18.6 out of 32 defenses, while Stafford’s average pass defense was at 18.4.”

Additionally, Maye was much better than Stafford against common opponents, further solidifying Maye’s case for those who went back-and-forth on MVP ballots.

Put it all together, and it’s easy to see why Drake Maye should be holding the MVP trophy. At just 23 years old, Maye could earn a few more before he retires.

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