Drake Maye, fresh off a Super Bowl appearance with the New England Patriots, just got voted the eighth-best quarterback in the entire NFL by a recent ESPN survey. This dude was a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro last year, finishing second in MVP voting, and somehow over 70 coaches, scouts, and executives couldn't put him higher. Maye wasn't just good in 2025, he arrived in the upper echelon, leading his squad to a playoff berth and a Super Bowl appearance in only his second year. Yet, this new ranking screams that the league isn't fully recognizing what they've got.
MVP Runner-Up Is Still Fighting For Respect
It's wild to think a quarterback who finished second in MVP voting and took his team to the biggest game of the year could be considered underrated, but here we are. Maye's ranking in the survey ranged from as high as fifth to totally outside the top ten. What more does a guy have to do? An NFL coordinator broke it down for the survey, saying, "Size, athleticism, accuracy, playmaking upside through the roof, poise and toughness. He had zero weapons and a shaky OL, and made it all work." That's a ringing endorsement, painting a picture of a guy who elevates everyone around him despite tough circumstances. If that doesn't put you in the top tier, what exactly does?Who's Above Maye, and Do They Deserve It?
So, if Maye, the MVP runner-up and Super Bowl QB, is number eight, who exactly is ahead of him? The list includes some expected names you can't really argue with: Josh Allen at number one, Patrick Mahomes at number two, Matthew Stafford at three, and Lamar Jackson at five. Yeah, those guys are legit. But then you've got Joe Burrow at four, Dak Prescott at six, and Justin Herbert at seven. Are all those guys *definitively* better than a guy who just led his team to the Super Bowl? One veteran NFC defensive coach offered an explanation, saying, "He's really talented, but I need to see more. Other quarterbacks on this list have proven it over time, and he's got to keep doing it." It sounds like a lot of it comes down to a lack of experience and exposure compared to the league's grizzled vets. Ultimately, these rankings are just subjective lists in the offseason, but they set the stage for who has to prove what. What matters most for the Patriots is they've got a certified franchise quarterback worth building around. For Drake Maye, this ranking just means he's got another chip on his shoulder for the upcoming season. He's proven he can "do it," and now he's just got to keep doing it, louder and clearer, until there's no debate left. Get ready to watch him climb this list fast.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.