The New England Patriots have authored one of the most stunning turnarounds in recent NFL history, and quarterback Drake Maye captured the magnitude of the moment as the franchise prepares for Super Bowl LX. What began as a rebuilding effort has rapidly evolved into a championship reality.
Maye addressed reporters this week and reflected on how quickly the Patriots’ trajectory changed. Entering the season after a four-win campaign, New England now sits just one game away from another Lombardi Trophy, a shift that has reshaped expectations both inside and outside the organization.
The Patriots’ Super Bowl run has been defined by composure, discipline, and steady leadership under head coach Mike Vrabel. New England finished the regular season 14–3 before defeating the Chargers, Texans, and Broncos in the playoffs. Throughout the run, Maye played with efficiency and poise, leading the league in completion percentage and delivering in multiple late-game situations.
SI Now’s Mike Kadlick shared the second-year Patriots signal-caller’s comments on X (formerly known as Twitter), highlighting his perspective on reaching the sport’s biggest stage after years of watching from afar.
“Knowing that what we dreamed of, even as a little kid, back when you wanted to watch the Super Bowl at a Super Bowl party, and now we’re the party. So that’s a pretty cool aspect.”
Drake Maye:
"Knowing that what we dreamed of, even as a little kid, back when you wanted to watch the Super Bowl at a Super Bowl party, and now we're the party. So that's a pretty cool aspect."
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) January 29, 2026
The quote resonated because it reflected the Patriots’ identity shift. For years, New England measured success through sustained dominance. After a brief downturn, the franchise rebuilt around youth, accountability, and structure.
The Vrabel–Maye partnership accelerated that process. In his first season as head coach, Vrabel implemented a defense-first foundation while empowering his quarterback to manage games efficiently and decisively. The result has been one of the most dramatic single-season turnarounds the league has seen.
The former North Carolina standout enters Super Bowl week managing minor shoulder soreness but continues to practice, with the Patriots confident in his availability. No longer chasing relevance, New England has reclaimed the spotlight, and Maye’s words reflect a team fully aware of what it has become as it prepares for a shot at championship No. 7.
