Big plays from Drake Maye have often been followed by chants of “MVP!” throughout the season — whether the quarterback is dazzling on the road or at Gillette Stadium. They’ve been deserved.
Through 15 weeks,
Maye ranks 1st in completion percentage (70.9 percent), 5th in passing yards (3,587), tied for 5th in passing touchdowns (23) all while seeing his turnover number fall from his rookie season.
The sophomore year surge has left Maye cemented in MVP conversations, as he currently boasts the second bests odds across sports books.
While the 23-year-old appreciates being in such talks, his sights are focused on larger things for his 11-3 Patriots.
“The MVP is obviously one of the big accolades for this league, and it’s something that is an honor as a player to earn that award, and I respect all the past MVPs, but I think at the end of the day, winning the Super Bowl is the biggest thing,” Maye said. “I think it’s what kind of makes this league go is winning the big one. That’s what you work toward, and that’s what this game is about.
“I love winning, and the personal accolades come with all that, but I’d rather win than win personal awards. I hope people in that locker room – I know a lot of them feel the same way.”
Maye currently trails just Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford as the favorite to win this year’s MVP.
But, a poor second-half last week in a loss to Buffalo — where Maye completed just 14-of-23 passes for 155 yards — likely cost him ground in the race.
Maye will now look for a bounce back performance this week against the Ravens in hopes of getting his team back on the right track. But, a standout game from the QB could reshuffle the MVP odds as well in a primetime setting.
“[Primetime is] what you play for. That’s what we’re trying to play for, for many years down the road. Trying to be the team that people want to see at night,” Maye said. “People want to see when the only game on is us. That’s what you want this environment to be. That’s what you want the New England Patriots to be. Playing in night games that matter, home playoff games, and that’s what we’re building towards and working towards. That’s one of the goals. So, we’re just going to keep trying to get there, do whatever we can to get there.”
