Why Drake Maye, Patriots could build dynasty despite loss

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Drake Maye had just stepped off the media stage the Thursday prior to Super Bowl LX, smoothly navigating reporters’ queries just like he evaded defenders during his MVP season.

At a nearby table, wide receiver Kyle Williams was eager to watch Maye take center stage on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.

“He’s mesmerizing,” Williams remarked. “The throws he makes, his composure, his versatility—it’s all exceptional. Confident, agile, fierce … I’m excited to see his growth.”

Such a perspective reflects the immense potential that lies ahead for Maye. Yet, it also sheds light on the stark contrast of his performance against Seattle on Sunday.

The quarterback struggled to regain his top-tier regular-season play in the playoffs, with the Patriots managing just 13 points against the Seahawks—failing to score until the fourth quarter. New England nearly matched its seven punts with Maye’s eight completions through the first three quarters, as Seattle’s timely blitzes and pressure rattled both Maye and his offensive line throughout the game.

Maye mentioned he received a pain-relieving injection in his right shoulder before the game, but he was clearly dissatisfied with his play, even while not fully fit.

“This is motivation,” Maye said to his teammates post-game. “If it’s not, I don’t know what could be. This is tough.”

Fairy-tale conclusions are uncommon, and Maye’s narrative is far from over.

His presence—paired with a storied organization, a Coach of the Year, and an upgraded Patriots roster—illustrates the optimism surrounding a Super Bowl journey for the 23-year-old quarterback.

According to Williams and many others, Maye’s palpable strengths should keep New England in the race. The team stands a good chance of winning virtually every game he leads.

Owner Robert Kraft, aged 84, is an established figure in ownership. Executive Jonathan Kraft, Robert’s son, serves as the succession plan. Coach Mike Vrabel, at 50, is solidly positioned in his coaching career. On paper, this Super Bowl appearance might be the first of many.

but, history suggests otherwise. Miami’s Dan Marino was also 23 when he appeared in Super Bowl XIX, yet he never returned, remaining perhaps the best quarterback to never win a championship. Joe Burrow was 25 when he guided the Cincinnati Bengals to Super Bowl LVI in his second year, but injuries have limited him to just one playoff appearance in the four years since.

For Maye to escape a similar fate, luck and numerous favorable factors must align in this age of competition.

Establishing a rare, multi-decade NFL dynasty takes years of meticulous planning. Just ask the Kansas City Chiefs, who are currently struggling to maintain their dominance after a generational success.

“The best team doesn’t always make it to the Super Bowl,” Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis III noted in the days leading up to the game. “You never know when you’ll reach this point. It’s remarkably challenging to get here, with so many different variables to consider.”

Yet, the Patriots possess certainties—a powerful trio—that should tip the odds in their favor in the years to come, as noted by several league executives.

“When you have the quarterback, the head coach, and the playcaller [Josh McDaniels] in place, you always have a shot,” an AFC executive stated. “They didn’t reach the Super Bowl due to an easy schedule or luck; it’s because they have those fundamental pieces and are building a solid team around them.”

Seattle’s Super Bowl strategy underscored Maye’s significance in that dynamic.

“Our plan was to disrupt Maye; we knew he was integral to their team,” Seahawks edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu mentioned Sunday night. “If we could affect him, it would throw off their entire game plan. … Drake’s a talented individual with a bright future ahead.”

In April 2024, the competition heated up to secure a spot among the top three draft picks. Most teams viewed Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Maye as elite prospects, with Williams slightly ahead of the pack.

but, several NFL scouts who spoke to ESPN privately stated that they rated Maye as their top quarterback, or at least second. Some of this reflects a revisionist perspective. One AFC executive recalled his team being divided between Daniels and Maye for the No. 2 spot.

“People might have underestimated his football intelligence,” an NFC executive remarked during the Senior Bowl.

With Williams heading to Chicago at the first spot and Daniels going to Washington at No. 2, both the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings tried to move up to the Patriots’ No. 3 pick to nab Maye. The Giants opted for wide receiver Malik Nabers at No. 6, while the Vikings picked J.J. McCarthy at 11. According to team sources, the trade inquiries did not ruffle any feathers within the New England organization; the Patriots were steadfast about keeping Maye.

“We recognized his value,” a team source shared.

Seattle’s coaching staff also recognized it early. Over two weeks of Super Bowl preparations, they pinpointed specific traits in Maye that he shares with elite quarterbacks. These include his remarkable precision on back-shoulder throws and the impressive depth of his passes. His mobility to escape the pocket is an added bonus.

still, he exhibits a particular skill that Seattle prepared for; his knack for extending plays.

As Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde noted, most play outcomes for quarterbacks hinge on what occurs within 2.3 seconds.

“Against him, you have to play beyond that 2.3 seconds,” Durde acknowledged. “There are special quarterbacks who really shine in those moments. He’s one of them.”

According to Durde, this talent stems from Maye’s ability to maintain his vision downfield while under pressure.

“Many quarterbacks we’ve encountered will look down when you press the pocket. But he’s constantly scanning up and down the field,” Durde added.

Seattle managed to counter those strengths. The Seahawks, boasting an iconic defense, constricted the pocket and clogged passing lanes. because of this, the Patriots frequently faced third-and-long situations during the game, culminating in six sacks, a lost fumble, and two late interceptions thrown by Maye. Seattle converted Maye’s turnovers into 17 points.

Apart from two remarkable throws facilitating a touchdown drive early in the fourth quarter, Maye seemed out of sorts, appearing inexperienced and unable to power his team through numerous tight-window throws.

This inconsistency mirrored his playoff performances. Over the AFC playoffs, Maye averaged just 207 passing yards per game, a stark decline from his regular-season average of 258. Much of his 295 yards on Sunday were amassed during garbage time.

but, league MVP Matthew Stafford managed eight touchdowns and zero interceptions in three encounters with Seattle this year.

play

Mike Vrabel’s message to the Pats for the Super Bowl

Mike Reiss reports on how Patriots coach Mike Vrabel is rallying his team ahead of Super Bowl LX.

The young quarterback must glean lessons from these playoff setbacks.

but, his determination to keep his focus on downfield and his capacity to extend plays are unique assets that could bolster New England’s chances for success each year.

“You have one to two more years with a solid starting quarterback on a rookie contract,” noted the AFC executive. The Patriots intend to capitalize on that advantage.

A promising sign for the future—though it might be tough to replicate—is the impressive strides made in talent acquisition and player development over the past year, laying the groundwork for a robust roster in 2026 and beyond.

In 2025, the Patriots boosted their lineup through free agency and the draft, propelled by a league-high $209 million in guaranteed money allocated in March.

The top eight free agent signings all proved successful: defensive tackle Milton Williams (four years, $104 million), wide receiver Stefon Diggs (three years, $63 million), Davis (three years, $54 million), pass rusher Harold Landry III (three years, $43.5 million), linebacker Robert Spillane (three years, $33 million), right tackle Morgan Moses (three years, $24 million), center Garrett Bradbury (two years, $9.5 million), and wide receiver Mack Hollins (two years, $8.4 million) all started and performed admirably.

Lower-tier contracts for pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson (one year, $3 million), defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga (one year, $2.1 million), and linebacker Jack Gibbens (one year, $1.3 million) also paid off significantly.

Combined with the rookie class, which accounted for 18% of the team’s snaps—the fourth-highest in the NFL—the team’s roster is on an upswing. This percentage marks the highest for any team reaching a Super Bowl since 2007, as far back as ESPN’s snap-count records extend.

“While they still need to refine the roster further, they will manage to do so because they’ve already addressed several core elements,” an executive from an NFL team remarked.

As he had been composed in the lead-up to the match, Davis kept his perspective intact following the loss. “We put the league on notice,” the cornerback commented. “Nobody expected us to be here. Our future is bright, filled with plenty of promising young talent.”

play

The debate: Did Stafford deserve MVP over Maye?

The “Get Up” crew discusses whether Rams QB Matthew Stafford was more deserving of the MVP award than Patriots QB Drake Maye.

Investing to enable a championship pursuit can succeed with the right approach. Philadelphia did the same in 2024, allocating $275 million in guaranteed funds for free agents ahead of their Super Bowl run the following season.

The convergence of these elements was anything but coincidental.

“We have individuals who feel underestimated, some who were let go by other teams—we aim to demonstrate our worth,” Williams explained. “When we unite, we can achieve something remarkable. The drive to honor the Patriots legacy is strong. Vrabel made it clear to the new free agents: abstain from expectations. He conveyed this directly to Davis in team meetings. Remain committed to the process.”

New England identified a key attribute for its defensive free agent signings: aggression. Patriots players are encouraged to express themselves and perform freely, provided they adhere to the defensive structures, according to both players and coaches. Yet, perhaps the most significant factor behind a sustained period of success may not stem from an individual player, or even Vrabel. “It’s McDaniels, who isn’t going anywhere,” an industry source pointed out.

McDaniels has served as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator three separate times, each leading to successful outcomes. but, his previous head coaching attempts in Denver and Las Vegas have made him an unusual case of a high-caliber offensive strategist likely to remain in his current role for the foreseeable future.

There may come a day when he earns a third opportunity. Yet, McDaniels is focusing on developing Maye for the 2026 season.

McDaniels’ perspective on this speaks volumes about Maye—and the future of the Patriots.

“The view from the top is certainly better than one from the bottom,” McDaniels remarked regarding player development, emphasizing the insights gained from a year’s experience.

“Next spring, we will commence from the base of the mountain but will ascend much faster.”