New England Patriots - NESN.com
Drake Maye is viewed as a front-runner for the 2025 NFL MVP, but the Patriots quarterback believes a teammate should be in the running for his own award at season’s end.
Maye credited Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs for his recovery and production coming off an ACL injury — the first-year Patriot had surgery almost exactly one year ago. And in doing so, Maye noted Diggs should be in the running for Comeback Player of the Year.
“I think he’s got to be proud of himself, I think that’s one of the biggest things,” Maye told reporters at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday. “Proud of his work, proud of how far he’s come. I told him that the other day, he hit his one-year (mark) since surgery. Proud of the way he’s handled what he’s been through.
“ACL surgery, bouncing back, making plays, being ready to go Week 1, it says a lot about him as a football player, as a person, how much he’s worked,” Maye continued. “I think he’s got to be in the running for Comeback Player of the Year as much as he’s done for this football team leadership-wise and play-wise … He’s a great player and I think he deserves it.”
Diggs has exceeded expectations this season with 59 catches for 659 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games. He’s on pace for 91 catches and 1,018 yards this season, which would mark the seventh time in eight years he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark.
This season, though, was a bit different.
