- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,206,949
- Reaction score
- 59
In one of the NFL season's best surprises, former UNC quarterback Drake Maye led his New England Patriots to their first Super Bowl appearance since 2019.
The Patriots lost in a fairly one-sided contest, 29-13, but that shouldn't discredit Maye's quick ascension into one of the NFL's best, young gunslingers.
In a recent list of the league's Top 10 quarterbacks, according to NFL coaches, executives and scouts, Maye ranks eighth overall.
Maye is ahead of just Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (ninth) and Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (10th), plus one spot behind Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
Maye showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie campaign in 2024-25, taking over as starter for Jacoby Brissett several weeks in, but New England struggled to its third consecutive losing season. That all changed last year for Maye, who finished runner-up to Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford in MVP voting.
Maye led the entire NFL with a 77.1 quarterback rating, while finishing third with 31 touchdown passes and fourth with 4,394 passing yards. Perhaps the greatest stretch in Maye's "sophomore year," though, came during three straight playoff victories vs. the Chargers, Houston Texans and Denver Broncos.
Helping Maye's case for a big leap in Year Two was head coach Mike Vrabel, a former Patriots Super Bowl Champion under Bill Belichick. Vrabel quickly earned the respect of his players, consistently praising Maye for his leadership at a young age, while earning AP Coach of the Year honors.
If Maye replicates his 2025 success this fall, he'll climb further up the NFL quarterback ranks, which currently have Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes atop it. Can Maye lead New England to its first Super Bowl title since 2019?
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Where does Drake Maye land in NFL quarterback rankings?
Continue reading...
The Patriots lost in a fairly one-sided contest, 29-13, but that shouldn't discredit Maye's quick ascension into one of the NFL's best, young gunslingers.
In a recent list of the league's Top 10 quarterbacks, according to NFL coaches, executives and scouts, Maye ranks eighth overall.
Maye is ahead of just Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (ninth) and Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (10th), plus one spot behind Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
Maye showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie campaign in 2024-25, taking over as starter for Jacoby Brissett several weeks in, but New England struggled to its third consecutive losing season. That all changed last year for Maye, who finished runner-up to Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford in MVP voting.
Maye led the entire NFL with a 77.1 quarterback rating, while finishing third with 31 touchdown passes and fourth with 4,394 passing yards. Perhaps the greatest stretch in Maye's "sophomore year," though, came during three straight playoff victories vs. the Chargers, Houston Texans and Denver Broncos.
Helping Maye's case for a big leap in Year Two was head coach Mike Vrabel, a former Patriots Super Bowl Champion under Bill Belichick. Vrabel quickly earned the respect of his players, consistently praising Maye for his leadership at a young age, while earning AP Coach of the Year honors.
If Maye replicates his 2025 success this fall, he'll climb further up the NFL quarterback ranks, which currently have Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes atop it. Can Maye lead New England to its first Super Bowl title since 2019?
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Where does Drake Maye land in NFL quarterback rankings?
Continue reading...
