Growing Admiration for a Young Rival
Though Josh Allen has only shared the field twice with Drake Maye, the Buffalo Bills quarterback has quickly become a fan of the New England Patriots’ 2024 first-round pick.
“I think Drake is super talented, he’s one of my favorite young quarterbacks in the league,” Allen recently told Sports Illustrated’s Liam McKeone. “I’ve spent some time around him and he’s got his head on his shoulders the right way. He just does things the right way. I think that he exemplifies football.”
As the reigning AP NFL Most Valuable Player, Allen’s words carry weight. Known for his explosive style of play, whether launching deep passes or bulldozing defenders, Allen’s high praise is a significant endorsement for the young quarterback.
Belief in a Key Mentor
Allen also believes one of his former teammates could be instrumental in Maye’s development, wide receiver Stefon Diggs. “I think he brings a lot of security for Drake,” Allen said of Diggs. “Obviously, having the knowledge of playing in the league for so long, he has that veteran mentorship that he can give to Drake.”
“He’ll take it and run, he’ll throw it and to have someone like Stefon is going to help him out a lot,” Allen said. Diggs, who earned four Pro Bowl nods while catching passes from Allen, now looks to be a stabilizing presence for Maye as the young signal-caller enters his second season.
Maye’s Promising Start
Despite the Patriots’ struggles during a 4-13 campaign in 2024, Maye stood out. Drafted second overall, he was quickly thrown into the starting role behind a shaky offensive line. Still, the North Carolina alum impressed with both his arm and his legs, showing resilience and potential.
In 12 starts, Maye threw for 2,276 yards and 15 touchdowns, while also rushing for 421 yards and two more scores. He earned a Pro Bowl replacement spot and brought hope to New England fans during a difficult season.
Mutual Respect in the AFC East
Though the Patriots finished last in the division, including two losses to Buffalo, Maye’s performance caught Allen’s eye. Meanwhile, Allen led the Bills to their fifth consecutive AFC East title. The two quarterbacks are set to face each other twice annually in the years to come, with Allen, respecting the rising star while aiming to keep Buffalo on top.
