Tom Brady is crediting Drake Maye’s resilience for helping the Patriots reverse a difficult start, as New England prepares to pursue a fourth consecutive victory Thursday night against the Chicago Bears.
In his latest Fox Sports power rankings, Brady placed the Patriots fourth, immediately above Buffalo, and praised Maye’s response to early-season struggles, according to Boston.com. The former New England quarterback pointed to Maye’s composure, improved ball security and ability to deliver important throws during the team’s three-game winning streak.
The endorsement follows a sharp change in production for Maye, whose first three games left the Patriots at 1-2. During that opening stretch, he threw one touchdown pass against six interceptions and fumbled twice, losing the ball once, Boston.com reported.
Over the next three games, victories against Buffalo, Las Vegas and the Jets, Maye passed for 878 yards and 10 touchdowns with only one interception. He also contributed 103 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. That performance has brought the 24-year-old closer to the level he reached as the 2025 NFL MVP runner-up.
Brady’s assessment emphasized the response to adversity rather than just the numbers. According to Boston.com’s account of his Fox Sports remarks, Brady noted that Maye remains a young quarterback in his third season and credited the offensive guidance provided by play-caller Josh McDaniels.
Brady also described the Patriots as a team still identifying its strengths early in the schedule. He saw similarities between their recent performances and last season’s team, while explaining that New England’s victory over Buffalo influenced his decision to put the Patriots ahead of the Bills in his rankings.
Maye, meanwhile, offered a more collective explanation for the offense’s improvement. Speaking earlier in the week, he credited renewed trust in his teammates, his own reads and his ability to establish a rhythm, Boston.com reported. He also highlighted the offense’s production despite injuries.
His account of the turnaround centered on decision-making. Maye said he had been too eager to create a major play earlier in the season and was now concentrating on choosing the appropriate play, getting the offense into favorable calls and protecting possession.
That distinction helps explain the contrast between the two three-game stretches: New England was able to move the ball early, Maye said, but mistakes repeatedly undermined that progress. He acknowledged his own role in those problems and described his recent focus as returning to confidence in both himself and the players around him.
What’s next: The Patriots face Chicago in a prime-time game Thursday, with Maye matched against Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams was drafted two selections before Maye in 2024. New England enters the matchup seeking to extend its winning streak to four games.
