The biggest knock against Drake Maye coming into the 2024 NFL Draft was his age and experience level. Now, just five games into his NFL career, the 22-year-old quarterback is making those concerns look foolish.

The Patriots rookie is displaying veteran-like poise that’s drawing comparisons to legends like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. His numbers tell the story – an impressive 954 passing yards and seven touchdowns in just five starts, while adding 221 yards and a touchdown on the ground. For perspective, former Patriots starter Mac Jones managed just ten touchdown passes in all of 2023. With seven games still remaining, Maye is on pace to shatter those numbers.

the skepticism around Maye was understandable on paper. He had just two full seasons as North Carolina’s starter, and COVID-19 robbed him of his senior year of high school football. While his talent across 26 games with the Tar Heels was undeniable, questions lingered about his ability to command an NFL huddle at such a young age.

Those questions have been emphatically answered. Maye’s composure was on full display during the Patriots’ 19-3 victory over the Bears last Sunday. In a moment that highlighted his maturity, Maye masterfully managed a last-second spike before halftime – a situation that typically exposes rookie quarterbacks.

The result?

A crucial Joey Slye field goal after Maye calmly clocked the ball with one second remaining, even drawing the Bears offsides in the process. The Patriots may be sitting at 3-7 and last in the AFC East, but they’ve found something more valuable than immediate wins – their quarterback of the future.

After the failed Mac Jones experiment, New England has finally landed their franchise cornerstone. Looking ahead, the Patriots’ priority is clear – surround their young star with weapons. If they can accomplish that this offseason, this offense could become one of the league’s most dangerous units in the coming years.

For now, Maye continues to silence his critics and win over the Patriots’ locker room one veteran at a time. At just 22 years old, he’s already showing the leadership qualities that can’t be taught – you either have it or you don’t. And Drake Maye? He definitely has it.