New England Patriots - NESN.com
The New England Patriots are undeniable contenders, and Drake Maye currently has the best odds to win NFL MVP. If a Pats fan heard that sentence uttered before the season, it would have sounded like a fantasy, but it’s become reality through Week 10 of the 2025 NFL campaign.
The Patriots have won seven games in a row, and they have a great shot to make that eight this Thursday when the New York Jets visit Gillette Stadium. Maye, who labeled Thursday’s upcoming game as a “big one” in a postgame interview with CBS’ Tracy Wolfson on Sunday, will be looking to stay sharp and avoid making mistakes like his late-game pick against the Bucs, which New England’s defense ultimately turned into a moot point.
Despite the occasional bad throw, Maye has exceeded all expectations this season, just his second year in the NFL. The 23-year-old former UNC Tar Heel has emerged as arguably the best deep ball thrower in the league, and his poise under pressure has allowed New England to win close games, most notably a Week 5 victory over the Buffalo Bills.
NFL fans, pundits, and former players alike are giving Maye his flowers. Former defensive star Richard Sherman joined in on the Maye praise on Sunday, posting a message to X explaining how Maye belongs in elite QB discussions.
“Drake Maye is playing himself into those conversations,” Sherman wrote. “For so long the Top of the QB pecking order has looked like musical chairs between 4 guys but with injuries to Burrow/Lamar and Josh Allen having a slow start tot he season statistically, its leaving the door open for other guys to throw their hats in the ring.”
Maye’s 10 performances this season have placed him ahead of Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford and others in terms of viable MVP candidacy.
Maye has deflected any and all MVP questions thrown his way, opting instead to focus on team success and improving on a week-by-week basis, which is all music to Patriots fans’ ears.
Whether or not Maye ends up winning MVP, the point remains that he’s announced himself as one of the game’s top quarterbacks through his consistent play. And with another decade-plus of football left in his career (health provided), this is all a thrilling development for the Patriots and a terrible development for the rest of the AFC East.
