Drake Maye, the New England Patriots rookie quarterback, completed an up-and-down 2024 season marked by both struggle and potential. Despite finishing with a 3-9 record, Maye demonstrated his capabilities under constant pressure and limited support, throwing for 2,276 yards and 15 touchdowns along with 10 interceptions. His early performances set a foundation for growth, capturing attention in the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL landscape.
Rookie Season Statistics Mirror Those of Former MVP Josh Allen
Maye’s rookie numbers have drawn comparisons to those of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who, in his own rookie year, posted similar statistics with a 5-6 record. Allen threw for 2,074 yards, 10 touchdowns, and had 12 interceptions during his first NFL season. Over seven seasons, Allen has become a three-time Pro Bowler and an MVP winner, underscoring the potential path ahead for Maye.
High Praise from Josh Allen Highlights Maye’s Talent
This offseason, Allen publicly praised Maye, referring to him as “super talented” and naming him one of his
favorite young quarterbacks in the league.
Maye’s skillset and rookie achievements suggest a promising career trajectory that could parallel Allen’s early success, although the two stars have distinctly different journeys ahead.
Strong Training Camp Performance Reinforces Maye’s Potential
During Patriots training camp, Maye’s development was on full display as he reportedly outperformed Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels in a joint practice. Maye completed 67% of his passes that day and threw three touchdowns, reinforcing his status as an emerging talent.
Maye Maintains Focus on Personal Growth Over Comparisons
Despite the favorable comparisons to Allen, Maye addressed the topic this week on the Bussin‘ With The Boys podcast, emphasizing his respect for the MVP but prioritizing his individual progress. He stated,
He’s the MVP. …I’ve got a lot of work to do to even be in the same stratosphere as Josh. Luckily, he’s in the division, so we have some good matchups I’m looking forward to,
and added,
But really, comparisons, I’m just trying to be myself and at the end of the day, if some people think that, that’s a lot of respect for him. But, I got a lot of work to do for that.
Physical and Playing Style Similarities Between Maye and Allen
The parallels between Maye and Allen extend beyond statistics. Maye was drafted third overall in 2024, just ahead of Allen who was selected seventh overall in 2018. The two quarterbacks share similar physiques, with Maye standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 225 pounds, while Allen is slightly taller at 6-foot-5 and weighs 237 pounds. Both are regarded as dual-threat quarterbacks capable of impacting games through their running ability as well as their passing.
Rushing Ability Shows Maye’s Versatility as a Dual-Threat Quarterback
Maye’s rookie rushing stats include 421 yards and two touchdowns, a display of his mobility and versatility. Allen, known for his dynamic running, accumulated over 4,000 rushing yards in his first seven NFL seasons, with 631 yards and eight touchdowns during his rookie year. In college, Maye rushed for more than 1,000 yards and scored 16 touchdowns over his last two seasons at North Carolina, while Allen recorded 727 yards and 12 touchdowns at Wyoming during the same period.
Outlook for Maye’s Career and Team Context
While it remains premature to equate Maye’s rise directly with Allen’s established career, the similarities in size, dual-threat capabilities, and rookie-year output invite discussion. Maye faces challenges typical for a second-year quarterback, including team dynamics and personal development. However, his strong rookie season suggests he could become a pivotal figure for the Patriots in the coming years, especially with important division matchups ahead against Allen and the Bills.