David Butler II-Imagn Images

Patriots Announce Drake Maye News on Saturday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Parker Johnson | Last updated Jan 10, 2026 10:28 AM ET

The New England Patriots were one of the great turnaround stories of the 2025 NFL season. After finishing 4-13 and last place in the AFC East in 2024, New England flipped the script and won the division this year with a 14-3 record. That earned the Patriots the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs and a home playoff game against the No. 7 seed Los Angeles Chargers on wild-card weekend.

The dramatic improvement would not have been possible without star quarterback Drake Maye. The 23-year-old showed flashes in his rookie season in 2024, but he emerged as a legitimate MVP candidate in his second year. Maye finished the regular season with 4,394 passing yards, 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions. His 72% completion percentage led the NFL.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye reacts against the Miami Dolphins.David Butler II-Imagn Images

The MVP race between Maye and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford got a big development on Saturday when the AP revealed its 2025 NFL All-Pro teams. Stafford was named to the first team, while Maye earned a spot on the second team.

Although fans in New England could make a case for Maye to be on the first team, being in the discussion alongside a veteran, Super Bowl-winning quarterback like Stafford was an honor in its own right. The Patriots shared the news on social media, highlighting All-Pro Second Team cornerback Marcus Jones along with their star QB.

All-Pro honors for @DrakeMaye2 & @MarcusJonesocho pic.twitter.com/v79YBROYAJ
— z - New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 10, 2026

"All-Pro honors for @DrakeMaye2 & @MarcusJonesocho," the Patriots announced in an X post.

The last Patriots QB to make an All-Pro team was Tom Brady, who was named to the first team in the 2017 season. By comparison, Maye is on the fast track compared to the New England franchise legend. Brady did not make his first All-Pro team until his sixth season (fifth as a starter) in 2005.

The second-team nod does not spell the end of Maye's MVP campaign. Last season, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was named to the second team and went on to win the MVP over first-teamer Lamar Jackson.

When asked what winning an individual award like MVP would mean to him, Maye kept a team-first approach.

"I think it’d mean the world to us," Maye told Fox's Pam Oliver in Week 18. "It’s a team award. I’m just proud of the guys. … I’m just proud of this team, but it starts now. Playoffs start now, so we gotta go.”

Maye and the Patriots face off against the Chargers (11-6) at Gillette Stadium on Sunday. The "Sunday Night Football" game kicks off at 8 p.m. ET and will be available on NBC and Peacock.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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