Drake Maye’s rapid rise with the New England Patriots has drawn plenty of attention, but not everyone is convinced he has earned the praise. Former NFL wide receiver Jarvis Landry, a five-time Pro Bowler, recently questioned the excitement surrounding the quarterback and argued that Maye should not be compared with Tom Brady.
The debate reflects a familiar challenge for New England quarterbacks. In 2021, Mac Jones made the Pro Bowl as a rookie, giving the Patriots hope that they had found stability after Brady’s departure. But within two years, Jones had become a backup. That sharp change in expectations has made some observers cautious about labeling a new Patriots quarterback a successor to Brady.
Speaking on the *4th and South* podcast, Landry said he had been told not to call Maye “Tom Brady.” He emphasized the difference between Brady’s accomplishments and what Maye has achieved so far, arguing that Brady consistently found ways to get the ball to his teammates while working with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Landry questioned why Brady could succeed in McDaniels’ system while Maye’s performance was being praised. He concluded that, in his view, Maye is “overrated until he proves otherwise.”
## Maye’s accomplishments have raised expectations
Maye entered the NFL under significant scrutiny, and his early accomplishments have helped fuel high expectations. In 2025, he completed 72.0% of his passes, finishing the regular season with 354 completions on 492 attempts. At age 23, he also became the second-youngest quarterback in NFL history to start a Super Bowl, leading the Patriots to Super Bowl LX.
His statistical achievements also included a single-game franchise completion percentage record of 91.3%. Maye became the fastest quarterback in Patriots history to reach 50 career touchdown passes. He also surpassed Brady’s franchise records for completion percentage in both a single game and a single season.
Those milestones have strengthened the case made by Maye’s supporters. But Landry’s criticism highlights a different measure of success: whether a quarterback can sustain strong play over time and meet the standards set by one of the most accomplished players in NFL history.
## Brady’s experience offers a different point of comparison
The comparison between Brady and Maye also comes with a substantial difference in experience. Brady played more than 150 games under McDaniels, while Maye has played around 25 in the system. Brady recorded more than 40,000 passing yards with McDaniels as his offensive coordinator, compared with roughly 6,500 for Maye.
That gap does not, by itself, settle the debate over Maye’s ability. It does show why the two quarterbacks’ careers cannot be measured on equal terms yet. Brady had far more time in the system and a much larger body of work, while Maye is still building his NFL résumé.
Maye’s performance in 2026 has also given critics new material. Through nine games, he has thrown 11 interceptions, already exceeding his total of eight from the entire 2025 season. He has also lost or recorded five fumbles, and the Patriots have yet to play a turnover-free game this season.
The turnovers have raised questions about consistency, particularly because Maye’s earlier accomplishments created high expectations. For Landry, those concerns are part of the reason Maye has not yet done enough to silence doubts about whether the praise is justified.
Maye will have another chance to respond on Sunday, November 15, when the Patriots face the Detroit Lions in Munich, Germany. Wide receiver A.J. Brown is expected to return for the game. A strong performance could help Maye answer his critics, while another difficult outing may keep the discussion focused on his turnovers and the expectations surrounding his role in New England.
