BREAKING: DRAKE MAYE TORCHES NFL DEFENSES — PATRIOTS FINALLY FOUND THEIR NEXT TOM BRADY (AND MAYBE THEIR NEXT MVP)
Drake Maye is having a sensational sophomore season as the New England Patriots' starting quarterback, exciting fans who finally have their worthy passing successor to Tom Brady.
Turns out, Maye's breakout Year 2 in 2025 after being drafted No. 3 overall in 2024 is well ahead of what Brady was able to do as a young Patriots QB. Maye is also emerging as an MVP candidate with his team moving to 4-2, thanks in big part to his play in Sunday's solid 25-10 win at New Orleans.
With the UNC product's standout sophomore start, there have been some statistical comparisons getting thrown around with big names.
Here's looking at Maye's numbers so far in six games and why he's on a historic stretch for being only 23:
Drake Maye's 2025 statistics through Week 6
Maye has been lighting up in the first season of Josh McDaniels' offense, serving as his most efficient and executing passer since ... Brady for many seasons.
| Pass completions | 131 |
| Pass attempts | 179 |
| Completion percentage | 73.2 |
| Passing yards per game | 253.6 |
| Passing yards per attempt | 8.5 |
| Passing TDs | 10 |
| Interceptions | 2 |
| Passer rating | 112.5 |
| Rushing yards | 138 |
| Rushing TDs | 2 |
| Rushing yards per attempt | 3.8 |
How Drake Maye has matched Patrick Mahomes
Before Sunday's game, there were only three quarterbacks in NFL history (per Scott Hanson on NFL RedZone) aged 23 or younger to post five consecutive games of at least 200 yards passing while also putting up a 100-plus passer rating.
Maye joined that exclusive club, which had only included the Chiefs' Mahomes, Dolphins Hall of Famer Dan Marino and the Cowboys' Dak Prescott.
With the Patriots starting 4-2, including a big AFC East victory over the division-leading 4-1 Bills, they are in strong playoff contention near the halfway point of the 205 season. Maye's play should have him on the short list of MVP candidates, leading a turnaround for a team that finished 4-13 in his rookie season.
Mahomes won MVP in his first season as a full-time starter in 2018. Lamar Jackson repeated that feat for the Ravens a season later in 2019. Maye has given himself a chance to match Mahomes again with his hot start.
How Drake Maye has done better than Tom Brady
Maye, with his winning performance against the Saints, made it five consecutive games with a passer rating of 100.0 or more in only his second season. It took Brady until his eighth season, when he broke out for a then-record 50 touchdown passes in 2007, to pull off the feat for the Patriots.
Maye also earned another piece of history over the Patriots' and league-wide GOAT QB. He hit 200 yards passing for five consecutive games, but he also had a completion percentage of 70 percent of better in those games. Brady's high mark was four such games in a row, the first coming in that same prolific '07 season.
Statistically, as a young QB, there's no doubt Maye is trending toward being a better Brady. But Brady also won his first Super Bowl at age 24 and had his first three rings by age 27. In the end, given the Patriots' championship tradition, Brady's success is measured most by six Super Bowl victories and nine AFC titles.
Maye still has given Patriots about which to be excited, emerging as one of the league's best young quarterbacks in such a short time, getting a huge Brady-like boost from the team hiring back McDaniels.
Myles Garrett Calls for Browns’ Defensive Turnaround After Loss to Steelers
Cleveland, OH – October 13, 2025
In the wake of a disappointing 23-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett didn’t mince words. Following a game where the Steelers’ defense overwhelmed rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Garrett’s frustration was evident when he shared a three-word message that captured the mood in the locker room: "Must be nice."
The comment, while brief, speaks volumes about Garrett’s feelings after witnessing the stark contrast between the two teams’ defensive performances. While the Steelers sacked Gabriel six times, the Browns’ defense failed to record a single sack against veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The disparity was glaring, especially for a defense that prides itself on getting to the quarterback.
A Tale of Two Defenses
Garrett’s frustration stems from a defense that, on paper, should have been able to dominate. With playmakers like Garrett, who has been one of the league’s most feared pass rushers, and a defensive line that has proven its ability in previous seasons, the Browns’ defensive struggles against the Steelers are a bitter pill to swallow.
Rodgers, who has been known for his composure under pressure, had little trouble operating behind a line that kept him clean throughout the game. In contrast, Gabriel, in just his second start, was under constant duress, never getting a chance to settle into any rhythm. But while the Steelers’ defense was wreaking havoc on Gabriel’s backfield, the Browns’ defense seemed unable to apply similar pressure on Rodgers, who threw for 260 yards and a touchdown without breaking a sweat.
Garrett’s Call to Action
Garrett, known for his leadership and on-field dominance, didn’t shy away from the reality of the situation. His "Must be nice" comment to reporters served as an implicit challenge to his teammates. “If they can get to the quarterback, so can we,” Garrett said, adding that it’s frustrating to watch another team dominate in areas that the Browns have built their identity around. He called out the Browns' defense to not just rest on their potential but to show up and execute.
“We’ve got the talent,” Garrett continued. “Now it’s about executing, and it’s time to put up or shut up.” These words serve as a wake-up call to a defense that, despite boasting elite talent, has failed to live up to expectations in key moments this season.
Turning the Page
The Browns now sit at 1-5, and their playoff hopes are beginning to slip away as the weeks go by. The loss to the Steelers highlighted many of the issues that have plagued the team this year: inconsistency on both sides of the ball, a lack of urgency, and an inability to capitalize on critical moments.
Garrett’s candid frustration is a sign that the players are aware of the stakes. If the Browns are to turn their season around, it will need to start with a defensive revival — one that will require Garrett and the rest of the unit to show up with the intensity and dominance that was missing against the Steelers.
With the season slipping away, Garrett’s call to action isn’t just a personal challenge; it’s a rallying cry for the entire team. The Browns’ defense must find its identity again, starting with their star pass rusher. For a team that has underperformed to this point, there’s no more time to waste. The Browns’ playoff hopes depend on it.
