New England Patriots
“That’s pretty tough to do.”
The Patriots’ run to Super Bowl LX has surprised many, including someone close to Drake Maye.
Maye’s father, Mark Maye, admitted in a recent interview to the Charlotte News & Observer‘s Scott Fowler that he wasn’t expecting the Patriots to have the year that they’ve had to this point.
“Like everybody, I’m surprised they made the Super Bowl,” the elder Maye told Fowler. “Now I thought they’d be better than what people were expecting. I’m a little more optimistic — maybe a little biased — about all of my kids’ teams and always have been. Honestly, it wouldn’t have surprised me for them to make the playoffs. But to make the Super Bowl? That’s pretty tough to do.”
Of course, the Patriots were coming off back-to-back 4-13 seasons ahead of the 2025 campaign, so practically no one thought it was reasonable for them to make it to the Super Bowl. But there were reasonable hopes that New England could reach the playoffs this year, with its preseason win total being set at 8.5 and many analysts believing head coach Mike Vrabel would quickly turn things around.
Maye has arguably been the biggest reason for the Patriots’ turnaround, though. The second-year quarterback emerged as an MVP candidate during the regular season, leading the league in completion percentage (72), yards per attempt (8.9), and passer rating (113.5). He was also among the league leaders in passing yards (4,394) and touchdowns (31), leading the Patriots to a 10-win improvement (14-3).
But Maye hasn’t been as prolific in the postseason. He’s completed just 55.8 percent of his passes for 533 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Maye’s last outing might have been the worst of his young career. He completed 10 of 21 passes for only 86 yards, which is the fewest he’s thrown in a game he’s played the entirety of, in the Patriots’ 10-7 win over the Broncos in the AFC title game.
Even Maye’s father went so far as to say that the Patriots might have been a bit lucky to advance.
“They’re fortunate,” Mark Maye told Fowler. “That one wasn’t pretty Sunday. All of the boys and I used to say, ‘We don’t care if we win 3-2 or 50-49.’ Well, that one was almost 3-2.”
Like Maye’s father said, a win’s still a win and the Patriots will be taking on the Seahawks in Super Bowl LX a week from Sunday. The entire Maye family is expected to be onhand in Santa Clara. However, one of Maye’s older brothers, Luke Maye, is traveling from Japan on the day of the game as he plays basketball overseas. Mark Maye told Fowler that he’s “hopeful” Luke Maye will be able to make it to Santa Clara on time to watch his brother play in Super Bowl LX.
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