Pats' Maye makes NFL history while also matching franchise icons

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Patriots QB Drake Maye makes NFL history while also matching franchise icons

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Dec 29, 2025 8:04 AM ET

Providing further proof that the Patriots have their next great one, QB Drake Maye reached a major milestone while also putting up a historic performance on Sunday.

In leading New England to a 42-10 domination of the lowly Jets, Maye was on his game so much that he posted a line so efficiently successful that it's the first of its kind.

Before exiting the game with the outcome decided, Maye completed 19-of-21 passes for 256 yards while throwing five touchdown passes. He even added 22 yards on the ground.

Drake Maye makes history in win over Jets

Maye actually became the very first quarterback over the last 40 years to complete 90 percent of his passes and throw at least five touchdowns in a single game. He did it with a quarterback rating of 157.0.

The list of QBs over the last 40 years with 90% comp pct and 5 Pass TD in a game

Drake Maye today

that's all folks pic.twitter.com/QPauSj9rfo
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) December 28, 2025

But Sunday didn't just mark a picture-perfect day for Maye; it saw him join a list of franchise legends as well. Maye surpassed 4,000 yards through the air on the season, making him only the third Patriots quarterback to ever throw 4,000 yards in a season.

Maye's name will now live forever next to Tom Brady, who is often regarded as the greatest ever at the position, and Drew Bledsoe, Brady's predecessor and a New England icon in his own right.

.@Patriots QB @DrakeMaye2 crossed the 4,000 passing yard mark on the year with a 30-yard pass to WR @EftonChism.

He's only the 3rd player in team history with 4,000 passing yards in a season, joining @TomBrady (11 times) and @DrewBledsoe (Twice).#NEPats pic.twitter.com/AMcWQNEXzF
— Patriots Communications (@PatriotsComms) December 28, 2025

And putting Maye's entire body of work together and New England's 13-3 record as the AFC's No. 2 seed, he's firmly in the MVP conversation. With one game remaining, Maye left MetLife Stadium with 4,203 yards and 30 touchdowns, also providing him with the first 30-touchdown season of his young career.

But he also knows Patriots fans won't judge him by individual hardware or what he does in the regular season. Thanks to the six titles won with Brady under center and even reaching a Super Bowl with Bledsoe, Maye will be expected to eventually deliver a deep run through January and into February.

Time will tell whether or not that championship run will happen to cap off this season, but regardless of how the postseason ends, it's safe to say the keys to the Patriots franchise are now in safe hands with Maye.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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