Brady Calls Drake Maye an MVP Candidate
Tom Brady praised New England's young quarterback and credited coaches Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels for the Patriots' recent turnaround.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Football
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Tom Brady said Drake Maye is an MVP candidate while appearing on The Herd with Colin Cowherd. Brady credited Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels for helping the Patriots win four of their last five games, including a 24-19 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Why it matters
Brady's endorsement of Maye, who previously finished behind Matthew Stafford in his favor for the 2025 MVP discussion, signals a shift in how a prominent voice views the Patriots' quarterback. The comments also highlight the coaching staff's role in New England's recent form.
Through eight games, Maye has completed 67.1% of his passes for 1,983 yards with 15 touchdowns, eight interceptions and a 100.4 passer rating, adding 216 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Over his last five appearances he has thrown 14 touchdown passes against two interceptions, though the source does not project whether that pace will hold.
The players
Tom Brady
Former New England Patriots quarterback and seven-time Super Bowl champion who now works as a broadcaster and analyst.
Drake Maye
Patriots quarterback who reached Super Bowl LX in the 2025 season, which New England lost to the Seahawks.
Mike Vrabel
Patriots head coach credited by Brady with changing the team's environment.
Josh McDaniels
Patriots offensive coordinator credited by Brady with helping Maye develop.
The details
On The Herd, Brady said, "Josh McDaniels does an incredible job with Drake Maye. Drake's an MVP candidate," and credited Vrabel with changing the team's environment. Maye completed 16 of 20 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns against Miami, including a rushing score.
Timeline
January 2026: Brady favored Matthew Stafford over Maye for the 2025 MVP award.
October 11, 2026: Maye threw four touchdowns against the Las Vegas Raiders.
October 22, 2026: Maye threw for 321 yards against the Chicago Bears.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Brady made his MVP comments on The Herd.
Season Trajectory
Brady, who led New England through its dynasty years, now positions Maye as the franchise's next central figure, and his MVP comments frame the Patriots' recovery as a quarterback-development story. The Patriots reached Super Bowl LX in the 2025 season before losing to Seahawks, setting a high bar for the current team.
Fantasy managers weighing Maye's rushing contribution should note his 216 yards and three rushing touchdowns on the season, which add meaningful value beyond his passing numbers. Viewers of Sunday's Patriots-Packers game on FOX will hear Brady's analysis in the booth.
The takeaway
Brady's comments show that a quarterback's rise can be measured by peers who once held the same position, and Maye's numbers over his last five games suggest the Patriots have found a player worth watching closely as the season continues.
What happens next
Brady will serve as FOX's color commentator for the Patriots-Packers game at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, and Rob Gronkowski is scheduled for induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 7.
Further reading
Follow more NFL coverage in Football for ongoing context on quarterback performances across the league.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
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Do you think Drake Maye is an MVP candidate this season?
