Karen Guregian: Drake Maye shies away from comparisons to Brady or Bledsoe, so let’s do it for him

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Karen Guregian: Drake Maye shies away from comparisons to Brady or Bledsoe, so let’s do it for him

Karen Guregian · MassLive

Tue, Dec 30, 2025 ·

6 min read

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FOXBOROUGH - Following his stunning performance in Sunday’s blowout win over the New York Jets , where he joined Patriot legends Tom Brady and Drew Bledsoe in the 4,000-yard passing club, Drake Maye was asked how it felt to be in the conversation with the two Patriots ’ icons.

Maye wasn’t about to go there. Any time he’s mentioned in the same breath with either Brady or Bledsoe, or compared to either of the Patriots Hall of Famers, Maye politely deflects the question.

While he considers it an “honor” to be in the discussion, he shies away from any and all comparisons. He’s deferential to the greats.

“I wouldn’t say I’m in the conversation with them two,” Maye said when asked about joining them in the 4,000-yard club following the Patriots blowout win over the New York Jets. “Those are probably the two best in Patriots (history).”

Maye is wise to avoid the topic and remain humble. But that doesn’t mean people who watched both Bledsoe and Brady, and or covered the span of their careers, like I have, can’t draw comparisons. Or suggest he is on his way to achieving their revered status.

Given how much he’s progressed from Year 1 to Year 2, given the historic feats he’s already achieved, it’s hard not to believe Maye won’t eventually land a spot on the Mt. Rushmore of all-time Patriots quarterbacks alongside Brady and Bledsoe.

And while it’s way too early to truly assess Maye’s place in the pecking order - he has yet to play in or win a playoff game - it’s fair to draw some parallels, and outline a few similarities.

In my book, Maye has some of Bledsoe and Brady’s best traits, all wrapped up into one.

But let’s start with the one quality that he exudes over the two - his athleticism. Brady certainly couldn’t move like Maye, and while Bledsoe was a bit more mobile, he couldn’t hold a candle to the current Patriots quarterback, who is a dynamic runner.

Maye’s mobility has been a weapon, and part of what makes him so tough to defend.

Similarities?

All three are as tough as they come at the position. Brady and Bledsoe played through injuries, stood in the pocket and took hits to make plays.

Maye, who has led the Patriots to a 13-3 record with one game to play ahead of the team’s first postseason appearance since 2019, brings that same toughness quotient to the table every week.

After taking over this season, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel quickly learned about Maye’s mental and physical toughness. He would just prefer Maye not having to show it so often.

“I believe that Drake is tough. I don’t think we have to put it to the test or we don’t have to always challenge his toughness,” Vrabel said Monday. “I think we just need to protect him the best that we can, and he has to understand that when he has the football, where he needs to be and how he can protect himself.

“So, it helps to see him out there and blocking for guys on reverses, or being able to stand in there and deliver the football. There’s no question. I don’t question his toughness at all.”

More similarities?

Like Bledsoe, Maye has a rifle arm. He also has Brady’s calmness in the pocket, as well as his poise under pressure.

The latter wasn’t Maye’s greatest trait at the start of the year, when he was a bit jumpy trying to manage a new system. But he’s evolved over the year to the point where it’s a strength. He’s much more of a cool customer, unfazed by anything thrown his way.

On Monday, Patriots linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson made note of Maye’s demeanor, especially under duress.

“He’s just so calm. It’s all like slow-motion,” Chaisson said. “We literally asked him today: ‘Dude, do you feel like you’re in a flow-state when you’re out there?’

“It just always seems like he’s in his move and in his groove. The way he sees and recognizes everything, certain ball placements and the trust he has with his receivers and his running backs and his offensive line ... he’s just got a cool vibe to him.”

Obviously, Maye has a long way to go before anyone can truly consider putting him in the same stratosphere as the GOAT. Brady’s seven championships, his numerous MVPs, his lengthy list of NFL records, his collection of comeback wins, etc., put him on a pedestal all his own.

Bledsoe, meanwhile, is still the only player in franchise history to pass for over 400 yards multiple times (4). He holds several other Patriots passing records including single-game (45) and single season completions (400).

Maye has just started his journey. Playoff performance is where the great quarterbacks are truly measured and defined, and he’s about to get his first ride.

But it’s hard not to watch the Patriots second-year quarterback this season, see how special he is, and wonder where that might lead him and the team not only this year, but in years to come.

Maye has been a quick learner, and equally quick to fix mistakes. He might not understand the game quite on the same level as Brady, but he has plenty of smarts when it comes to deciphering defenses and knowing what to do with the football.

Being the third overall pick in the 2024 draft, it shouldn’t come as a shock that Maye is good. But it’s stunning to see the level he’s at, and how quickly he’s risen to being one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

His historic performance against the Jets, becoming the league’s first quarterback to ever have a 90 percent completion rate, 250 yards passing and five touchdowns in a single game, has whet the appetite to see what more he possibly has in store.

“He surprised all of us,” Stefon Diggs told NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo after Sunday’s win. “I knew he was going to be good, but nah, I didn’t know he was going to be this good.”

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