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Cam Newton, Damien Woody argue over Drake Maye’s standing as a ‘top-5′ QB in NFL
"These performances, if we have to state the obvious, came by way of the Tennessee Titans."
Drake Maye is doing more than taking a second-year leap as the Patriots’ starting quarterback this season.
He’s arguably playing like an MVP candidate through the first seven games of the 2025 NFL campaign.
Beyond leading New England to a 5-2 record out of the gate, Maye has established himself as one of the more dynamic signal-callers in the game — accounting for 14 total touchdowns on the year while only getting knocked for two interceptions.
Maye enters Monday night sixth in passing yards (1,744), second in completion percentage (75.2 percent), third in yards per attempt (8.6), and third in passer rating (116.4).
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Those numbers alone — coupled with the 23-year-old QB already either surpassing Tom Brady or etching his name next to the Patriots legend across several marks in the franchise’s record books — had former Patriots offensive lineman Damien Woody ready to declare Maye as a top-five QB in the game on ESPN’s “First Take” on Monday.
That comment drew a sharp reaction from former Patriots QB — and Maye’s childhood football idol — Cam Newton.
“Top 5 in the NFL,” Newton questioned.
“He’s playing like a top five quarterback,” Woody responded.
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“Damien … you’re tripping, son,” Newton said. Is he playing good football? Yes, he definitely is. But top five? … That’s a little angry.”
For Newton, the biggest knock against Maye as far as his standing as a top-five QB has more to do with the level of competition that he’s faced — rather than a flaw or concerning regarding his play out on the field.
“Now, nothing against Drake Maye — because I’m a fan,” Newton. “If I’ve never been a fan of any young quarterback, he’s my favorite. But I don’t think he’s reached the limit where, ‘now this is a person that you really have to consider in the top-five.’ These performances, if we have to state the obvious, came by way of the Tennessee Titans.
“And the game that was really impressive was when he played against Buffalo. And that’s not to discredit anything that he’s doing. I’m just saying for him to get labeled a top-five quarterback, he has to do it versus capable competition on a consistent basis.”
Even if New England has had a lighter schedule so far this year, Maye impressed in the Patriots’ Week 5 upset win on the road against the Bills. Maye out-dueled reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen in that matchup — completing 22-of-30 passes for 273 yards and leading a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter.
If Newton needs to see how Maye fares against tougher competition moving forward, he should get his answer in the coming months when New England has to take on teams like the Buccaneers (Week 10), Bengals (Week 12), Bills (Week 15), and Ravens (Week 16).
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