Drake Maye has arrived . . .

[BobDigital]

I am just so excited for the this team moving forward. As long as Drake Maye stays healthy, They have the structure to lock it in for 10+ years easily of high quality football where they compete for super bowls year after year.

They have the coach long term. They have the young QB long term. They have the OC long term. Locked. Locked. Locked. The only question is Maye. Will he stop taking hits, and how will his game evolve as he ages into his 30s. We don't know those things yet. No one can. But if he takes care of himself we can have damn near 20 years of great football ahead of us where we don't need to worry about 3/4ths of the top spots. That is quite a luxury.

IMO Maye as already leap leapfrogged a number of really good QBs in the top QB discussion. Not just this year or for the MVP race. Right now. I know it is still so early and we are basing it on so little tape. But when you know you know. And he isn't doing this being carried by an elite cast, he is doing the carrying. At some point it isn't just about the MVP discussion. It is about where does he rank with Lamar, Allen and Mahomes.

Here is a fun thought. He has the chance to beat Allen... Twice. Beat Lamar... And match them in the playoffs by making it to the AFCCG. IF he accomplishes those things... He has a legit argument to already be better than both and be #2 to Mahomes going into season 3. If he does that by Beating KC in the playoffs somehow. You have to put him ahead of both IMO.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Doesn’t matter if you like it or disagree with it, you can look at the film and see it for yourself.

It’s coming from an elite QB who has walked in similar shoes. And we hear the same from others, such as JT O’Sullivan.

It’s true Drake Maye is playing at an elite level. It’s also true he’s leaving a lot of meat on the bones, especially when he starts playing “one and run”.

There is plenty for Maye to learn, and they worked on check downs extensively in camp, that's why Chism was putting up great numbers in camps and pre season. However, after the Raiders game Maye was told to be decisive in his decision making, since then Maye has been more decisive and either throws downfield or takes off, and he's been playing brilliantly. I think it's going to take time for Maye to get comfortable checking down and throwing to his slot guys and his backs underneath, but it will come, and he will end up comfortable throwing to every area of the field.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

There is plenty for Maye to learn, and they worked on check downs extensively in camp, that's why Chism was putting up great numbers in camps and pre season. However, after the Raiders game Maye was told to be decisive in his decision making, since then Maye has been more decisive and either throws downfield or takes off, and he's been playing brilliantly. I think it's going to take time for Maye to get comfortable checking down and throwing to his slot guys and his backs underneath, but it will come, and he will end up comfortable throwing to every area of the field.

The weird thing is, that's not quite what's happening. It's worth noting that he averages about 2 deep shots (20+ yards past the LOS) per game.

Except for the Raiders game, I don't think he's thrown more than 12 passes more than 10 yards downfield in any game this year. Some games, like MIA and CAR, it's closer to 5.

 

[Ring 6]

The weird thing is, that's not quite what's happening. It's worth noting that he averages about 2 deep shots (20+ yards past the LOS) per game.

Except for the Raiders game, I don't think he's thrown more than 12 passes more than 10 yards downfield in any game this year. Some games, like MIA and CAR, it's closer to 5.

It’s not weird at all.
He’s running the offense. The offense and play calls dictate where to throw the ball.
What’s different is that they have confidence in him to let him rip it on 3rd and 15 rather than give up with a dump off, and that when a play is extended he’s looking up the field, rather than for the easy throw.

He is running the offense and the offense is tailored to how we are defended. Of course the other difference is when he makes a deep throw it’s dead on so it seems like he is making more of them because he is making more successful ones.

This idea that he passes up short stuff or “won’t check down” is ludicrous and it’s being pushed by guys like Warner who think the right way to play qb is throw to the open guy for a 2 yard gain and have a completion.

The decision making for a qb boils down to the definition of open. They go through progressions and go/no go them. It seems that Mayes definition of open is for a dump off there needs to be room to run and for a deeper throw he’s ok if it’s tight but he can get it in there.
That is what you want, not the opposite, which is the WCO philosophy. WCO says take the short throw and get a completion and you need wide open guys to throw down the field.

 

[Pats2000]

I am just so excited for the this team moving forward. As long as Drake Maye stays healthy, They have the structure to lock it in for 10+ years easily of high quality football where they compete for super bowls year after year.

They have the coach long term. They have the young QB long term. They have the OC long term. Locked. Locked. Locked. The only question is Maye. Will he stop taking hits, and how will his game evolve as he ages into his 30s. We don't know those things yet. No one can. But if he takes care of himself we can have damn near 20 years of great football ahead of us where we don't need to worry about 3/4ths of the top spots. That is quite a luxury.

IMO Maye as already leap leapfrogged a number of really good QBs in the top QB discussion. Not just this year or for the MVP race. Right now. I know it is still so early and we are basing it on so little tape. But when you know you know. And he isn't doing this being carried by an elite cast, he is doing the carrying. At some point it isn't just about the MVP discussion. It is about where does he rank with Lamar, Allen and Mahomes.

Here is a fun thought. He has the chance to beat Allen... Twice. Beat Lamar... And match them in the playoffs by making it to the AFCCG. IF he accomplishes those things... He has a legit argument to already be better than both and be #2 to Mahomes going into season 3. If he does that by Beating KC in the playoffs somehow. You have to put him ahead of both IMO.

The thing that stands out most about Maye is his deep ball accuracy. He has the best deep ball I've ever seen. He just hits everyone in stride right in the perfect spot. It's insane, he doesn't have the arm angles that Mahomes has, but he can flip a ball on the move 50 yards downfield and can basically put it in a coffee mug.

 

[Wozzy]

Drake Maye arrived? He was here last year, the team around him sucked.

It’s a team sport…

 

[The Gr8est]

Imagine if Drake Maye was in the 2026 draft.

Not only would he go #1 overall, but if the team at #1 traded the pick it might bring the biggest trade haul ever.

 

[The Gr8est]

Myles Garrett on Drake Maye:

Redirect Notice

www.google.com

“It’s nice to be part of his journey”?

When is Garrett a FA? Pats might be the leaders in the pursuit.

 

[patchick]

The thing that stands out most about Maye is his deep ball accuracy. He has the best deep ball I've ever seen. He just hits everyone in stride right in the perfect spot. It's insane, he doesn't have the arm angles that Mahomes has, but he can flip a ball on the move 50 yards downfield and can basically put it in a coffee mug.

The crazy thing is he actually hasn't been throwing deep often. He just connects so regularly and so perfectly that he has a season's worth of highlights already.

 

[patfanken]

Here's the thing. All sacks, statistically, are pinned on the OL, yet all sacks are NOT the OL's fault. SOME of them fall at the feet of the QB himself. There were several earlier in the season when Maye was stepping up into the pocket, when he should have been escaping. He was literally running into sacks. It was one of my small nitpicks and he's doing it less and less as the season has gone on. But imho, he did it once on Sunday.

He CAN eliminate some of the sacks by getting rid of the ball faster. But currently that's not his mindset. He WANTS to throw the ball down field and by and large the offense is benefiting from it.

Maye most definitely is the best young QB in the league. He has advanced far beyond expectations of a kid with just a full season of game experience and one in a new offensive system and OC. But I worry about over expectations. I've watched enormous growth, just in these 8 games. But growth is always linear and in one direction. It just isn't.

 

[KCSVEN]

Best from 2018-2025: 60% Drake Maye YTD: 76.5%

 

[Betterthanmost]

Ryan Pole is now my favorite human being to follow. I am confident that he will lead me to success if I follow him and do exactly the opposite of what he thinks and do. Game on…

 

[Betterthanmost]

Warning, if you have PE, stay clear. Parental discretion is advice!

 

[Betterthanmost]

I see that Diggs is their instrument for getting the message and tone to the field. This is a special team.

 

[Mack Herron]

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

It’s not weird at all.
He’s running the offense. The offense and play calls dictate where to throw the ball.
What’s different is that they have confidence in him to let him rip it on 3rd and 15 rather than give up with a dump off, and that when a play is extended he’s looking up the field, rather than for the easy throw.

He is running the offense and the offense is tailored to how we are defended. Of course the other difference is when he makes a deep throw it’s dead on so it seems like he is making more of them because he is making more successful ones.

This idea that he passes up short stuff or “won’t check down” is ludicrous and it’s being pushed by guys like Warner who think the right way to play qb is throw to the open guy for a 2 yard gain and have a completion.

The decision making for a qb boils down to the definition of open. They go through progressions and go/no go them. It seems that Mayes definition of open is for a dump off there needs to be room to run and for a deeper throw he’s ok if it’s tight but he can get it in there.
That is what you want, not the opposite, which is the WCO philosophy. WCO says take the short throw and get a completion and you need wide open guys to throw down the field.

Indeed, this is the way the game is today.

In the past, QB's would dread 3rd & long because they knew if they dropped back they'd usually get killed.

Now, teams have no problem running a play to pick up the yardage regardless.

However, this requires that they be careful, because the chance of a big loss or turnover is still there.

Of course, the biggest/worst example for us is when Perkins/Parcells were so enamored with Bledsoe's throwing, which worked beautifully against weaker teams but not in the Super Bowl.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Drake's not on the Pats' all time top ten QB's list - yet.

My criteria is whoever was at one time a Patriot, regardless of how little or poorly they played with us. Thus, Reggie Wayne would make the top receivers list and Fred Taylor the RB's, etc.

*MVP


1. Tom Brady*

2. Doug Flutie*

3. Steve Grogan

4. Jim Plunkett

5. Babe Parilli

6. Drew Bledsoe

7. Rich Gannon*

8. Cam Newton*

9. Joe Kapp

10. Vinny Testaverde



Highly overpaid & highly overrated:

Tony Eason, Hugh Millen, Jimmy Garoppolo, Mac Jones


Highly underrated & not given a fair chance:

Brian Dowling, Bailey Zappe

 

[SlowGettingUp]

 

[Pats2000]

The crazy thing is he actually hasn't been throwing deep often. He just connects so regularly and so perfectly that he has a season's worth of highlights already.

I was just looking, Josh Allen has 41 deep pass attempts to Maye's 18. But he's only connected on 20 of them or something like that. That's crazy how much more efficient Maye is playing on deep attempts. 14 of 18, 5 TD's and 0 interceptions. With a perfect passer rating. /

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I am just so excited for the this team moving forward. As long as Drake Maye stays healthy, They have the structure to lock it in for 10+ years easily of high quality football where they compete for super bowls year after year.

They have the coach long term. They have the young QB long term. They have the OC long term. Locked. Locked. Locked. The only question is Maye. Will he stop taking hits, and how will his game evolve as he ages into his 30s. We don't know those things yet. No one can. But if he takes care of himself we can have damn near 20 years of great football ahead of us where we don't need to worry about 3/4ths of the top spots. That is quite a luxury.

IMO Maye as already leap leapfrogged a number of really good QBs in the top QB discussion. Not just this year or for the MVP race. Right now. I know it is still so early and we are basing it on so little tape. But when you know you know. And he isn't doing this being carried by an elite cast, he is doing the carrying. At some point it isn't just about the MVP discussion. It is about where does he rank with Lamar, Allen and Mahomes.

Here is a fun thought. He has the chance to beat Allen... Twice. Beat Lamar... And match them in the playoffs by making it to the AFCCG. IF he accomplishes those things... He has a legit argument to already be better than both and be #2 to Mahomes going into season 3. If he does that by Beating KC in the playoffs somehow. You have to put him ahead of both IMO.

At the least its just great to have hope again and soak in the feeling of not knowing the ceiling of Drake AND the team. I don’t know how this year ends but until it does its fun to dream