Drake Maye, the silky smooth quarterback, who is shredding the NFL this season. His extraordinary talent and skill have made him a leading contender for the league’s Most Valuable Player Award. Through 10 games, Maye has provided plenty of top-play fodder, turning himself into one of the sport’s most explosive game-changers. Specifically, his combine-class production backed up his previous hype, evidenced by an elite completion percentage and a freakish ability to create on the move and find unexpected yardage.
Through the course of the season, it seems pretty clear that Maye’s development is true. He’s taking big strides in poise and maturity, scrambling when the pocket collapses but keeping his eyes up to survey the field. He currently has a 71.7% completion rate. This accomplishment marks a new career-high and further cements his place as one of the leading candidates for MVP accolades.
Consistent Performance and Highlight Plays
This season, Maye has done nothing but impress every single week with his incredible talent as a dynamic playmaker. He’s produced five jaw-dropping plays so far this season, each of which have added a punch to his MVP candidacy. His top priority is working on those deep ball shots, honing accuracy and release time with his array of pass catchers. After routine practice sessions, he tends to linger. He continues to develop his deep ball skills with the ability to track the football over his receivers’ shoulders.
Regardless of how you slice the numbers, it’s clear that Maye has consistently gone all-in on getting better. In a year with an extraordinary 69% of bills making it to the finish line. Under pressure against blitz, he’s averaging 9.5 yards per attempt, third best mark in the NFL. This knack for rising to the occasion reveals not just the raw talent he possesses, but his poise, preparation, and dogged work ethic.
“Authentic and intentional are the two words I’d say that describe Maye’s leadership.” – Joshua Dobbs
Adaptability and Play Extension
Maye has a rare talent for extending plays by breaking the pocket. This skill has led to plenty of big plays on successful deep strikes. His ability to respond with poise and confidence in the face of pressure has made him the most unique quarterback this season. Just last month, he proved that bona fides by going 9 for 16 for 89 yards in the first half of a playoff game. His majestic performance proved a masterclass in resilience meets execution.
We’re already halfway through the 2024 season and Maye has been given the freedom to run the football. He is now the quarterback with the most scrambles rushing yards in history. His dual-threat playmaking ability with his arm and legs forces defenses to stay honest. Defenders need to account as much for his cannon arm as they do his speedy legs.
He has been super successful, but there’s occasionally an over-reliance on his legs. At times, he bails from developing plays too early. This trend may come off as an indictment missing the big play, but rather underlines his interior, almost canine, instinctual play style.
“Things aren’t always going to be perfect. You have to roll with the punches. It’s a hard job, playing quarterback.” – Stefon Diggs
Maye acknowledges that disclaimer with every snap he takes, knows the ship’s direction relies on him getting better week by week.
The Path Ahead
When you look back at last season, Maye had to deal with a ton of adversity, tossing 10 interceptions in 13 contests. Whether short, intermediate or deep, this has been the year he’s most consistently thrown clean ball. By minimizing risk, he’s measurably increased his squad’s likelihood of victory. Just three other quarterbacks — Tom Brady, Matt Ryan, and Jared Goff — have thrown more interceptions than Maye this season. He is personally very motivated to make that number better.
It’s his relationship with receivers that’s really stood out this season. Most impressively, he’s done it with some of the most accurate, on-time, 32-yard completions toward the sideline I’ve ever seen. His ability to deliver DARTs (Damn Accurate Tough Throws) from his back foot has enhanced the production of everyone in his orbit.
“To rally, stay poised, with that quarterback mindset — I tell him, ‘We’ve got your back — right or wrong — we don’t care what you do. Keep making plays. Keep being smart.’” – Stefon Diggs
As the new season rolls on, all eyes will again be on Maye. He’s going to continue to dazzle our minds and open hearts and be profoundly excellent.
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