New England Patriots players are trying to figure out exactly where Drake Maye's nickname came from.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has been one of the best players in football this season and is even being hailed as an MVP candidate even though it's only his sophomore campaign.
It's been quite the ride for Maye in 2025, as he has led the Patriots to the best record in football at 11-2 and leads the NFL in passing yards (3,412) and completion percentage (71.5 percent) while tossing 23 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Additionally, Maye has rushed for 319 yards and a couple of scores.
In the process, the 23-year-old has earned himself a really weird nickname: Drake "Drake Maye" Maye. It's even on his Pro Football Reference page.
During New England's win over the New York Giants on Monday night, wide receiver Kayshon Boutte was wondering exactly why Maye's nickname is also his actual name.
I think pretty much everyone is asking the same question, but given how great Maye has been this year, I guess we can all let it slide.
The Patriots selected Maye with the third overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft and sat him behind Jacoby Brissett to start his rookie campaign. However, it didn't take long for Maye to supplant Brissett under center, taking over in mid-October last season.
Maye totaled 2,276 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 picks while completing 66.6 percent of his throws last year, adding 421 yards and a pair of scores on the ground.
During that time in 2024, it became clear that Boutte had developed into one of Maye's favorite targets, and that has certainly continued in 2025.
Boutte caught 43 passes for 589 yards and three touchdowns last season, and thus far this year, he has snared 29 balls for 481 yards and six scores, averaging 16.6 yards per grab and posting a catch rate of 76.3 percent.
The former sixth-round pick was viewed as a potential trade candidate during the offseason, but thankfully, New England decided to hold on to him.
The Pats' receiving corps in general has performed better than most expected in 2025, and that's thanks much in part to Maye's brilliance.
The Patriots have their bye this week and will face the Buffalo Bills in their next game on Dec. 14.