Kicking off his third year in the pros, superstar and social media sensation Drake Maye looks to put a nasty Super Bowl loss in the rearview and build his legacy as one of the greatest young QBs in the league

By Erik Schoning

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has seen a lot in two NFL seasons. Drafted by a rebuilding franchise in 2024, he fronted a meteoric rise that took the Patriots to football’s biggest stage last season. On and off the field, he is one of the biggest stars in the sport at only 24 years old. As his team gears up to make noise again this season, this young phenom faces his highest expectations yet.

A North Carolina native, Maye grew up idolizing Cam Newton and Aaron Rodgers. As a college QB, he made waves as a UNC Tar Heel before declaring for the NFL draft. The Patriots snapped him up at three overall; during the draft process, Maye demonstrated a level-headedness that has proven to be one of his greatest assets. “The biggest thing for me is to worry about my play on the field, worry about how I am as a teammate in the locker room and a man in the community,” Maye told reporters in his post-draft press conference.

Last season, with the arrival of head coach Mike Vrabel and veteran Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Maye set a new bar for sophomore season performance, balancing old-school pocket play with devastating mobility, en route to a 14-3 regular season record and legitimate MVP buzz. Off the field, his wife Ann Michael Maye became a TikTok celebrity for her baking content, including her “Bakemas” series for the month of December.

Still, a devastating loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX proved a disappointing end to a Cinderella season. “Obviously [the loss] stings, but I don’t think it’s very hard because you’re still hungry,” Maye told reporters this summer. “Obviously not getting to where we wanted and finishing off how we wanted, but you experienced it, know what it’s like, and know what it takes to get there.”

Where Maye will lead his Patriots is anyone’s guess, but hopes are once again high in a franchise that’s seen its fair share of winning this century. His teammate, offensive guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, told Sports Illustrated’s Ethan Hurwitz, “Seeing how he carries himself in the huddle, man, I think it’s a really cool thing to see.” On ESPN’s Get Up, NFL insider Adam Schefter added: “If he continues ascending the way he has, the Patriots will be a contender for the next dozen years.”

DRAKE MAYE — @drake.maye · PHOTO BY MATTHEW GUILLORY / ALAMY