FOXBOROUGH, MA — In a season that has already rewritten the record books and reignited championship dreams in New England, Drake Maye delivered perhaps his most powerful moment yet — and it didn’t come on the field.

As the 23-year-old quarterback continues to dominate the NFL MVP conversation, leading the league in completion percentage (71.7%), passer rating (112.9%), and QBR (76.5), Maye’s response to the individual accolades has Patriots fans more emotional than any touchdown pass ever could.

“It’s US, not just me,” Maye said emphatically when asked about his MVP candidacy following the Patriots’ dominant 42-10 dismantling of the Jets in Week 17. “Everything we’ve accomplished this season is because of the guys in that locker room. My name might be on the ballot, but this is OUR award.”

Historic Season, Humble Heart

The numbers tell the story of an extraordinary campaign. Maye has thrown for 4,203 yards and 30 touchdowns against just eight interceptions, putting him on pace to join an elite club of quarterbacks who’ve posted 30-plus touchdown passes with fewer than 10 interceptions before age 25 — a group that includes only Lamar Jackson’s 2019 MVP season.

But it’s not just the raw statistics that have turned heads. In Week 17, Maye became the first player in NFL history to complete over 90 percent of his passes while throwing for at least 250 yards and five touchdowns in a single game, finishing 19-of-21 for 256 yards before sitting out the entire fourth quarter with the game already decided.

The performance against the Jets was the exclamation point on a season that has seen the Patriots transform from 4-13 disappointments to 13-3 division champions — their first AFC East title since 2019.

The Brady Comparison Nobody Expected

The statistical parallels to Tom Brady’s legendary 2007 season are impossible to ignore. Maye has recorded seven games this season in which he completed at least 75 percent of his passes while throwing for at least 200 yards and two touchdowns — the most by any Patriots quarterback in a single season except Brady during New England’s perfect 16-0 regular season.

That year, Brady became the first Patriots player to win NFL MVP. Now, 18 years later, Maye stands on the precipice of becoming the second.

But where Brady was a proven veteran cementing his legacy, Maye is a second-year player who spent half of his rookie season on the bench, learning behind Jacoby Brissett before taking over mid-season and never looking back.

“He Gets It” — Teammates Rally Behind Their Leader

The team-first mentality Maye preaches isn’t just talk. After his five-touchdown performance against the Jets, the young quarterback spent his postgame interview deflecting praise to his offensive line, his receivers, and the defense that has kept opponents under 20 points in 11 of their 16 games.

“That’s why we love him,” veteran tight end Hunter Henry said, one of five different receivers who caught touchdown passes from Maye in the Jets game. “He could sit here and talk about his stats all day, but he won’t. He genuinely believes this is about all of us, and that’s why guys run through walls for him.”

The sentiment echoes throughout the locker room. From Stefon Diggs’ career renaissance to the offensive line’s dominant protection schemes, everyone in the Patriots organization points to Maye’s leadership as the catalyst for New England’s stunning turnaround.

The Road to History

With one game remaining in the regular season — a home matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 18 — Maye and the Patriots still have something to play for beyond MVP votes. A win coupled with a Denver loss to the Chargers would secure the AFC’s No. 1 seed, giving New England a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

The stakes couldn’t be higher, but Maye’s focus remains unchanged. When asked if the pressure of chasing both team and individual glory weighs on him, his response was quintessentially team-first.

“I don’t think about MVP,” Maye said. “I think about how we can get better this week. How we can protect the ball. How we can help our defense. The rest will take care of itself.”

A Dynasty Reborn?

Mike Vrabel’s first season as Patriots head coach has exceeded even the most optimistic projections. The former Titans coach cited Maye’s presence as one of his primary reasons for accepting the job, and that faith has been rewarded tenfold.

From a franchise that spent the post-Brady era searching for answers at quarterback, the Patriots have found not just a player, but a leader who embodies the selfless mentality that defined their championship dynasty.

As Patriots Nation watches their young quarterback dominate the league while refusing to take individual credit, the emotional connection runs deeper than statistics. In Drake Maye, New England has found a player who understands what it means to wear the Patriots uniform — where team always comes before individual glory.

With Week 18 on the horizon and the playoffs looming, one thing is certain: whether or not Drake Maye wins MVP, he’s already won the hearts of an entire fanbase that’s learning to dream big again.

Final Stats Through Week 17:

• Completion Percentage: 71.7% (1st in NFL)
• Passer Rating: 112.9 (1st in NFL)
• QBR: 76.5 (1st in NFL)
• Passing Yards: 4,203 (4th in NFL)
• Touchdowns: 30 (Tied-3rd in NFL)
• Interceptions: 8 (Tied-19th in NFL)
• Record as Starter: 13-3

The Patriots face the Miami Dolphins in Week 18 on Sunday, January 4th at 4:25 PM ET at Gillette Stadium.