The 2025 Pro Football Writers of America’s Most Improved Player of the Year resides in Foxborough.
Quarterback Drake Maye got the call on Friday, becoming the first player in New England Patriots history to receive the award since it was introduced by the PFWA in 2000.
Previous recipients dating back to the turn of the century include Jeff Garcia, Kordell Stewart, Chad Pennington, Jon Kitna, Drew Brees, Osi Umenyiora, Frank Gore, Derek Anderson, DeAngelo Williams, Miles Austin, Arian Foster, Victor Cruz, Dez Bryant, Alshon Jeffery, Le’Veon Bell, Kirk Cousins, Josh Norman, Vic Beasley, Jared Goff, George Kittle, Ryan Tannehill, Josh Allen, Trevon Diggs, Cordarrelle Patterson, Geno Smith, Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold.
Arriving at pick No. 3 overall in the 2024 NFL draft, Maye made 12 starts at quarterback during his rookie year. The University of North Carolina product completed 66.6 percent of his passes for 2,276 yards with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Along the way to a 4-13 record, he added 421 yards and two touchdowns as a rusher.
Much has changed at Gillette Stadium since then. The 23-year-old Patriots captain started all 17 games during his sophomore regular season. He did so while going 354-of-492 passing for 4,394 yards, 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Under the watch of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels & Co., No. 10 also turned in 456 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
Earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors at the start of December, Maye led the NFL with a 72.0 completion percentage while also pacing the league with 8.9 yards per attempt and a 113.5 passer rating. He posted 13 games with a passer rating of 100 or more, including a stretch of eight in a row, to set a new franchise mark.
A 14-3 record and the No. 2 seed followed for the AFC East champions.
A Pro Bowler and an Associated Press second-team All-Pro, Maye was named to the All-AFC team during preparations for the AFC Championship Game. The week of PFWA announcements also saw running back TreVeyon Henderson and kicker Andy Borregales selected to the All-Rookie team, while head coach Mike Vrabel was voted Coach of the Year.
The Denver Broncos host Sunday’s 3 p.m. ET kickoff at Mile High’s Empower Field.
