The New England Patriots have found their answer at quarterback.
Drake Maye‘s second NFL season has transformed the offense and positioned the team as a legitimate playoff contender through eight weeks.
What looked uncertain heading into the year has become the Patriots’ greatest strength, with Maye displaying control and precision that have caught the attention of evaluators across the league.
His performance has sparked early MVP conversations in Foxborough, and the numbers support the buzz.
Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed recently pointed to the statistical case behind Maye’s breakout, noting how the young quarterback has separated himself in key metrics.
Drake Maye updated rankings:
PFF grade: 5th
PFF passing grade: 4th
CPOE: 1st
EPA/DB: 3rd
QBR: 4th
Passer rating: 1st
Completion%: 1st
Y/A: 2nd
Passing yards: 4th
Passing TDs: 5th
Big-time throw rate: 7th
Turnover-worthy throw rate: 9th
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) October 27, 2025
Pro Football Focus ranks Maye fifth overall and fourth in passing grade, reflecting mechanics and decision-making that suggest a quarterback beyond his years.
His accuracy leads the NFL in both Completion Percentage Over Expected and overall completion rate at 75.2 percent.
Maye also holds the top spot in passer rating while sitting second in yards per attempt, showing he can push the ball downfield effectively.
Through eight games, he has accumulated 2,026 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and ranks third in Expected Points Added per dropback alongside a fourth-place QBR.
The balance in his game sets him apart.
Maye posts the seventh-best big-time throw rate while maintaining a top-10 turnover-worthy throw rate, attacking defenses aggressively without compromising ball security.
That discipline rarely appears in young quarterbacks still adjusting to NFL speed.
The Patriots stand at 6-2 with Maye leading the offense.
Whether New England can sustain this level through the season’s tougher stretch remains the question, but Maye’s development has given them a foundation worth building around.
NEXT: Peter Schrager Makes Big Statement About Patriots