Drake Maye closes in on incredible NFL feat, last done by Tom Brady in 2001

After a six-year run without a single postseason win, the New England Patriots are back within one game of the Super Bowl.

The Patriots’ last playoff win came in the 2018 season, the penultimate with Tom Brady at quarterback. Seven years on there’s a new QB in New England and Drake Maye can follow in Brady’s footsteps this year.

In 2001 Brady was named starting quarterback for a Patriots team that went 5-11 the previous season. In his first year as a starter Brady led the team to a Super Bowl triumph and kick-started a dynasty that ranks among the greatest in NFL history.

Flash forward to 2025, Maye was named starting quarterback for a Patriots team that went 4-13 last year. If he can guide the team to a Super Bowl victory this year it will be the first time since 2001 that a team with five or fewer regular season wins has gone on to win a championship the following year.

So, can the Patriots do it? They take on the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, a meeting of the two highest seeds in the AFC. Their task is made slightly easier by the injury sustained by Broncos quarterback Bo Nix in the divisional round, ruling him out of Sunday’s game.

Nevertheless it will be a major challenge for Maye, who is still in his second season in the NFL. This year is his first taste of NFL playoff football but his illustrious predecessor believes that Maye has what it takes to rise to the moment.

“Drake Maye has that humility. Everything that comes out of his mouth is always about the team,” Brady said earlier this week. “It’s always about praising his defense, praising his offensive line. That’s how you connect with people. That’s what great leaders do... They’re in service of other people.”

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