Lamar Jackson over Drake Maye? NFL brass thinks so, but players make different statement
News concerning New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye broke on two fronts Monday.
The National Football League players sent one message. The coaches, executives and scouts sent another.
Players stand behind Maye
The NFL Top 100 players No. 70 and 69, as voted on by the players were announced on Monday, and Baltimore's Lamar Jackson landed 67 spots behind his No. 2 ranking of a year ago. Maye is yet to be named, but it is assumed that he will be much higher than Lamar.
Also on Monday, though, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler placed Maye at No. 8 among the quarterbacks in the league as voted on by the coaches, execs and scouts. Jackson rounded out a top five of Buffalo's Josh Allen, Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes, Los Angeles Rams' Matt Stafford and Cincinnati's Joe Burrow.
So, there is a marked difference in the results of the polls, for sure.
A flaw in the ESPN poll
Maye's perceived disrespect and slight likely has something to do with the fact that he's only been a full-time starter in New England for one year. There were also his struggles in the postseason with eight fumbles and four interceptions in four games.
But then again, No. 6 Dak Prescott of Dallas didn't make the playoffs last year, and Maye and the Patriots schooled the Los Angeles Chargers and No. 7 Justin Herbert in the teams' playoff opener.
As ESPN's Fowler wrote, though:
"Size, athleticism, accuracy, playmaking upside through the roof, poise and toughness," an NFL coordinator said. "He had zero weapons and a shaky OL, and made it all work."
On the verge of elite status
Maye is the third NFL quarterback since 2006 to lead the NFL in Total QBR (77.1), completion percentage (72%) and yards per attempt (8.93). The others were Tony Romo (2014) and Brady (2007).
"He's really talented, but I need to see more," a veteran NFC defensive coach said. "Other quarterbacks on this list have proven it over time, and he's got to keep doing it."
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 11:21 AM.