In just his second NFL season,Drake Maye, 23, did something no Patriots quarterback had done in seven years. He led New England to a Super Bowl appearance, finishing the year with 4,394 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions.
The signal-caller was so dominant that he finished as the MVP runner-up, and comparisons to the franchise’s all-time great, Tom Brady, were unavoidable. But his Super Bowl run ended in a 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, and a right shoulder injury picked up in the AFC Championship clouded the offseason.
But in late March, Maye traded the pads for clippers, and the internet had opinions after his new hair cut went viral.
Drake Maye’s new buzz cut has NFL fans buzzing
Maye recently participated in the 13th annual “Saving by Shaving” event hosted by Granite Telecommunications in Quincy, Massachusetts. The fundraiser raised $4.1 million to benefit pediatric cancer research and treatments at Boston Children’s Hospital.
New England Patriots, Drake Maye, NFL
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) exits the field after the loss against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
His wife, Ann Michael, had the honors of making the “first pass” with the clippers, buzzing the first few locks before professional barbers finished the buzz cut.
Drake “Buzz Cut” Maye
(via @cpriceglobe) https://t.co/HGOiCB1GB3 pic.twitter.com/tNxzdne97J
— NFL (@NFL) March 31, 2026
This event took place just one week after the couple officially launched their own nonprofit, the MayeDay Family Foundation, which aims to support children and families in need both in New England and their home state of North Carolina.
One fanjoked, “Respect. Truly a great thing to do. Plus… less shampoo needed now.”
Anotherwrote, “Why does he look completely different every time I see him.”
A thirdadded, “Why does bro look like I did when I was a husky 12 year old.”
One userpenned, “The way Drake sits in the chair and gets a haircut is so tuff.”
The fifth oneclaimed, “There’s a part of me that thinks the NFL literally cloned Tom Brady.”
ALSO READ: Why Drake Maye Is the Patriots’ Most Underpaid Player
Since his draft day, people haven’t stopped branding Maye as Tom Brady 2.0. It’s an easy link to make, especially after he led New England back to the Super Bowl in only his second season. However, as the 2026 season approaches, his haircut and legacy are secondary concerns. The real focus is his throwing shoulder.
Drake Maye shares positive update regarding his shoulder
Maye confirmed after the Super Bowl that he did injure his throwing shoulder during the AFC Championship Game, but said it would not require surgery and was not to blame for his performance in the big game. He landed on his right shoulder while being tackled by Denver safety Talanoa Hufanga, and the injury kept him on the injury report through Super Bowl week.
Fans were worried, but the star himself doesn’t seem worried. “Shoulder’s feeling good, feeling great,” Maye said,per Eric Edholm of NFL.com.“Just having some time off, being able to get back into throwing and lifting.”
Patriots GM Eliot Wolf echoed that confidence, saying Maye is “fine, ready to go” and expected to be a full participant in the offseason program beginning April 20.