FOXBOROUGH – In his second NFL season, Drake Maye has established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
Entering this week, the Patriots quarterback ranks No. 1 in passing yards (2,836) and pass completion percentage (71.9). He’s also No. 2 in passer rating (113.5), No. 4 in passing touchdowns (20), and fifth in completions (230).
The Patriots No. 3 overall pick has progressed faster than many thought he would. However, don’t expect Maye to gloat or even mention his place among the NFL league leaders.
On Wednesday, Maye said he doesn’t look at his stats – and even claimed the team’s lack of a bye week is the reason for his top rankings.
“No. I just hope to be at the top in wins. That’s the biggest thing. Just trying to win,” Maye said. “And I think all that other stuff comes after that. Part of the reason I probably am is because we haven’t had a bye yet. So really just focus on one week at a time. And I think a lot of players on this team are doing great things to help me, and the defense is playing great. So it’s been fun. We gotta keep going.”
The Patriots have the latest bye in the NFL in Week 14. However, Maye’s impressive stats go beyond that.
Maye’s 113.2 passer rating would be the second-best in Patriots history behind Tom Brady (117.2 in 2007). Brady is the only quarterback in New England history to finish a season with a 100-plus passer rating.
This season, Maye has five 50-yard completions. The Patriots’ regular-season record is seven, set by Brady (2016, 2011, 2009, and 2007). The NFL record is 12 by Joe Burrow in 2021.
This season, he’s been accurate on a historic level. Maye has completed at least 80% of his passes in three games this fall. That’s a Patriots single-season franchise record. The franchise’s record is Tom Brady with 10. Maye has five games in his career.
The Patriots franchise record for completion percentage was set by Brady in 2007 at 68.9. Maye’s current completion percentage (71.9) would be the sixth-best in NFL history.
Maye said he feels like he’s become more accurate this season with the Patriots.
“I think just being competitive, I think that’s the biggest thing. I’m competitive,” Maye said. “I want to make good throws. I want to complete passes in tight windows and give good ball placement for catch and run… I think accuracy is one of the biggest things. And you see so many great quarterbacks that are so accurate. I think that’s what you try to work towards. As soon as I got in the league, it’s something that just tried to establish myself from the get-go, is trying to be accurate.”
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