Drake Maye was shaky good in his NFL playoff debut.
In his second season, Maye has already established himself as the best quarterback that UNC football has ever produced.
The third overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, Maye became New England’s full-time starter midway through his first season and improved so dramatically in his second while leading the Patriots into the playoffs that he is one of the favorites to win MVP of the entire league. Sort of similar to him being named ACC Player and Rookie of the Year in 2022 at Carolina.
Maye and the Patriots had a 14-3 record in the regular season and earned a second seed in the AFC playoffs, where they defeated the LA Chargers and veteran quarterback Justin Herbert Sunday night.
It was a daunting task, as the Pats notched their first playoff win since Tom Brady’s sixth Super Bowl championship in 2019. The rabid New Englanders embraced Maye as their new hero and successor to Brady who left the team while Bill Belichick was still their coach and settled the debate over who was most responsible for their dynasty.
Maye now plays under Brady’s former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and head coach Mike Vrabel, the all-pro linebacker who also caught 15 touchdown passes as an on offensive receiver. The new coaching staff turned out a great supporting cast for Maye.
He was understandably shaky in the first half against the Chargers, completing only 6 of 15 passes and losing two fumbles while being sacked. The Pats led 6-3 at halftime before Maye came alive, going 11 of 14 in the second half including the decisive touchdown pass.
He showed off his versatility while leading the team in rushing with 66 yards on 10 carries, including a 37-yard scamper. His 28-yard scoring pass to tight end Hunter Henry put the game away as the Patriots moved on to another home game in the second round this Sunday. Afterward, he deflected any credit to his teammates and praised the defense that held the Chargers and their own star quarterback to just one field goal.
Though highly skilled and prepared at 6-foot-4 and only 23 years old, Maye had the kind of family upbringing in Huntersville that will keep him focused on improving his craft. After signing a $36 million contract, his biggest purchase was a home with his new bride and former high school sweetheart. It is in the same neighborhood where McDaniels lives so they can spend extra time talking football. Drake’s acumen for the game has shown he is better than two other star college quarterbacks selected ahead of him in the draft.
Now that he has passed the nervousness and pressure of leading his team back to the playoffs and advancing to the second round, he will be expected to lead the Patriots to another Super Bowl.
Whether he does this season or in years ahead, he has proven he can handle it the right way.
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Featured image via Associated Press/Charles Krupa
Art Chansky is a veteran journalist who has written ten books, including best-sellers “Game Changers,” “Blue Bloods,” and “The Dean’s List.” He has contributed to WCHL for decades, having made his first appearance as a student in 1971. His “Sports Notebook” commentary airs daily on the 97.9 The Hill WCHL and his “Art’s Angle” opinion column runs weekly on Chapelboro.Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
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