Drake Maye’s January has been packed with memorable moments, as the New England Patriots rookie quarterback made waves both on and off the field.
Fresh from his engagement celebration, Maye added another achievement to his list by securing an alternate spot in the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, where he recently faced off against established NFL talents like Russell Wilson, Joe Burrow, Jared Goff, Sam Darnold, and Baker Mayfield in a passing competition.
The young quarterback caught the attention of NFL legend Peyton Manning, who’s leading the AFC team.
Manning didn’t hold back in sharing his impressions of Maye, highlighting the rookie’s natural leadership qualities and potential for success at the professional level.
Manning particularly emphasized Maye’s impressive arm talent and athletic ability, but it was the quarterback’s character that truly stood out.
“I think that’s what New England fans want to have as a quarterback who’s a great competitor that you know has a lot of pride,” Manning shared in an interview.
Manning pointed out how Maye’s competitive upbringing shaped his mentality, especially noting his accountability – whether celebrating teammates’ successes or owning up to mistakes under pressure.
However, Maye’s Pro Bowl debut during Thursday night’s Skills Showdown didn’t quite live up to expectations.
In the “Passing the Test” challenge, the rookie found himself at the bottom of the pack, scoring just 22 points.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff claimed victory with 44 points, followed by Minnesota Vikings’ Sam Darnold at 39 and Pittsburgh Steelers’ Russell Wilson with 31. Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow and Bucs’ Baker Mayfield tied at 27 points.
Despite the challenging start in the skills competition, Maye’s Pro Bowl journey isn’t over yet.
The Patriots rookie is set to showcase his talents in Sunday’s flag football exhibition game, offering another chance to make his mark among the NFL’s elite quarterbacks.