The NFL world was stunned when the 2025 Associated Press All-Pro teams were announced, with New England Patriots quarterback **Drake Maye** landing on the second team rather than the first, despite his instrumental role in one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent league history.
The decision immediately ignited controversy, particularly in New England, where fans and observers saw it as a glaring oversight.
Adding fuel to the fire, legendary former Patriots quarterback **Tom Brady** weighed in publicly, sharply criticizing the NFL’s evaluation process and defending Maye’s snub as evidence of deeper flaws in how the league recognizes true impact.
In just his second NFL season, Maye orchestrated a historic revival for the Patriots. After back-to-back 4-13 campaigns, New England stormed to a 14-3 record under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, clinching the AFC East title for the first time since 2019 and securing the No.
2 seed in the AFC playoffs with home-field advantage in the Wild Card round. Maye started all 17 games, completing 354 of 492 passes (72.0%) for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and just 8 interceptions.
His passer rating of 113.5 led the NFL, as did his completion percentage, while he ranked third in touchdown passes and fourth in yards. He also contributed 450 rushing yards and 4 scores on the ground, showcasing dual-threat ability that transformed the offense.
The Patriots didn’t merely win—they dominated, particularly in key divisional matchups. Blowout victories, such as the 42-10 thrashing of the New York Jets in Week 17 that sealed the division crown, highlighted Maye’s poise and precision.
He delivered in high-pressure moments, including a late-game comeback against the Baltimore Ravens that showcased his leadership. Under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Maye operated with remarkable efficiency, posting elite metrics like the highest completion percentage over expected in recent years and leading the league in several advanced categories.
Yet, when the All-Pro teams were revealed, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford earned the first-team nod. Stafford had an outstanding season, leading the league in passing yards (around 4,700) and touchdowns (46), but his Rams finished as a Wild Card team.
Many analysts and fans argued Maye’s superior efficiency, team elevation, and contextual impact—reviving a franchise from the ashes—made a stronger case. Some outlets, like Pro Football Network and Next Gen Stats, placed Maye as their first-team choice, emphasizing his role in the Patriots’ dramatic improvement.
Brady, the six-time Super Bowl champion who last won All-Pro honors with the Patriots in 2017, didn’t hold back. “You can’t talk about the Patriots’ resurgence and then ignore the person who led that resurgence,” he stated in comments that quickly went viral.
“Drake didn’t just play well—he changed the entire identity of the team. If that doesn’t deserve All-Pro recognition, then the criteria are broken.” Brady further argued that focusing solely on raw volume stats overlooks the players who drive the most meaningful difference, especially in team success.
“If you only look at the numbers and not the influence, you’ll always miss the players who make the biggest difference,” he added.
The omission struck a nerve with Patriots fans, reviving long-standing sentiments that New England teams are undervalued nationally, even after years of dominance under Brady. Social media erupted, and Boston sports radio shows buzzed with debates about whether All-Pro honors prioritize reputation and individual stats over team impact and leadership.
For many, Maye’s second-team selection felt like confirmation that voters sometimes overlook context—such as the Patriots’ weaker supporting cast compared to other contenders—when rewarding performance.
On the field, however, Maye has proven indispensable. His calm under pressure, accurate deep throws, and ability to extend plays have made him the central figure in New England’s success.
The team enters the playoffs favored against the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card round, a matchup that underscores their status as legitimate contenders. Being the No. 2 seed provides home advantage, where the Gillette Stadium crowd—energized by the division title—could play a significant role.
This perceived snub could serve as powerful motivation. History shows the Patriots thrive when underestimated or disrespected. The 2001 team, led by a young second-year Brady, turned doubters into believers en route to a Super Bowl victory.
If Maye channels this frustration into a strong playoff run, the narrative could shift dramatically. No longer would the story center on an All-Pro omission; instead, it would highlight how the NFL may have underestimated a rising star poised to shape the league’s future.
Maye’s journey reflects a blend of raw talent and rapid growth. Drafted third overall in 2024 out of North Carolina, he showed flashes as a rookie before exploding in 2025. His command of the offense, combined with Vrabel’s defensive prowess, has restored hope in Foxborough.
Whether this fuels a deep postseason push or simply adds to the debate about awards criteria, one thing is clear: Drake Maye has arrived as a force, and the Patriots are back among the elite.
As Wild Card weekend approaches, all eyes will be on Maye and New England. A dominant performance against the Chargers—and potentially beyond—could silence critics and prove Brady’s point: true greatness isn’t always captured in votes, but on the field where it matters most.
The league’s decision may have overlooked Maye this time, but the playoffs offer the ultimate stage to make the snub look like a footnote in a legendary career.
