Heading into the matchup with Jets, Maye needed six rushing yards to edge past Brady’s Patriots career rushing total. He didn’t just reach the target—he finished with a convincing performance on the ground, contributing a multi-yard rush that helped propel New England to the win. The accomplishment added another line to Maye’s growing list of early-career feats and highlighted his dual-threat potential as the team’s starting quarterback.
Maye has shown a knack for using his legs to extend plays and gain valuable yards when the passing game stalls. Through six games in the 2026 season, he has totaled 185 rushing yards, underscoring his ability to influence games with improvised runs and designed quarterback scrambles. This level of rushing production has emerged as a notable dimension of his game and a valuable asset for the Patriots as they balance offense around a young quarterback still developing in the passing game.
Historically, Brady was not known for prolific rushing totals during his Patriots tenure. Brady’s rushing yards with New England never surpassed 110 in a single season, and he exceeded 100 rushing yards in a season only three times. In contrast, Maye’s early-career trajectory shows a quarterback who can contribute meaningful yardage with his legs, indicating a broader set of tools for New England on offense. While surpassing Brady’s rushing total is a noteworthy personal milestone for Maye, it is important to contextualize it within Brady’s all-time status as the Patriots’ standard-bearer for passing achievements, consistency, championships, and record-setting performances.
For Maye, this milestone does not redefine his overall impact but rather adds another facet to his evolving game. As a quarterback who can complement his passing with mobile efficiency, Maye gives the Patriots another element to lean on as they build around him. The team will likely continue to leverage his mobility to spread defenses and create plays when the traditional passing rhythm stalls or when opportunities arise to gain chunk yardage on the ground.
With Week 7 approaching, the Patriots will shift their focus to their next matchup: a Thursday Night showdown on the road against the Chicago Bears. Both teams entered Week 6 with 4-2 records, setting the stage for a pivotal early-season contest. A win in Chicago would keep New England on track in the early portion of the season, while also allowing Maye to continue polishing his game experience against a competitive opponent.
This milestone marks another memorable moment in Maye’s career as he develops into a cornerstone for the franchise’s present and future. If he sustains his progression as both a passer and a runner, the Patriots could be laying the groundwork for an exciting era under his leadership.
For fans and analysts, Maye’s rushing success adds an extra layer of intrigue to the Patriots’ offensive approach. It underscores the importance of versatility at the quarterback position and the value of having a quarterback who can contribute with his legs in addition to delivering as a passer. As the 2026 season unfolds, Maye’s growth and the team’s surrounding talent will determine how high this early milestone docks in the broader history of the franchise’s quarterbacks.
