Drake Maye just finished a 2025 season that most quarterbacks would dream about. 72 percent completion rate. 31 passing touchdowns. Eight interceptions. Another 450 yards and four scores on the ground. And he led the Patriots to the Super Bowl.
So it shouldn’t be a total shock that some people around the league are ready to put him in that top tier. But Brian Hoyer took it a step further.
The former NFL quarterback turned Sirius XM NFL Radio host ranked Maye as his No. 2 quarterback in the league right now. Behind only Matthew Stafford. Ahead of Josh Allen at three and Patrick Mahomes at four. Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson tied for fifth.
Why Hoyer Is All In on Maye
It’s not just the 2025 tape that got Hoyer there. It’s what he’s hearing out of Patriots camp this offseason. Via ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Hoyer pointed to something specific that pushed Maye up the list.
“The reason I go with Drake second is not only what he did last year, but what I’m hearing coming out of Patriots camp right now,” Hoyer said. “A.J. Brown was talking about Drake taking over the meeting room. I was in a room with a guy who did that every day — Tom Brady — and when a quarterback takes ownership like that it can take it to the next level.”
Hoyer played with Brady in New England. So that comparison carries some weight. Maye apparently isn’t just running plays. He’s running the room.
The Patriots Are Building Around Him Properly
New England hasn’t wasted any time putting pieces around Maye. They used their first-round pick on offensive lineman Caleb Lomu. Then they signed receiver Romeo Doubs in free agency. Then they traded for A.J. Brown. That’s a legitimate three-pronged investment in keeping Maye clean and giving him weapons.
The expectations are going to be massive heading into 2026. But Hoyer seems to think Maye can handle it. And honestly, the Patriots are acting like they believe it too.
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