The 2025 NFL season produced one of the most dramatic Most Valuable Player races in years, and it had Patriots fans on the edge of their seats right into Super Bowl week. At the NFL Honors event in San Francisco, Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams was awarded the 2025 AP NFL MVP trophy, edging Drake Maye by the closest margin of voting seen since 2003. Stafford finished with 366 points and 24 first-place votes, while Maye collected 361 points and 23 top votes.
As reported by Newsweek, Maye’s finish, so close yet just short of the top honor, triggered a massive national conversation about his breakout season and the nature of individual awards in football. Stafford, a veteran of 17 seasons and a former Super Bowl champion, took home the accolade and confirmed he will return for another year with the Rams during his acceptance speech.
While Stafford celebrated his personal achievement, the Patriots organization chose to respond in a way that emphasized team goals rather than dwelling on individual recognition. Shortly after the award results were made public, the New England Patriots shared a simple but clear message on their social media that focused less on what Maye didn’t win and more on what still lies ahead for the franchise: “Bigger trophy on the mind.”
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The Patriots Care More About The Super Bowl
Those five words, paired with a photo of Maye in his Patriots uniform, made it clear that New England’s priorities are not tied to regular-season awards. Instead, the team’s energy is completely geared toward Super Bowl LX, where Maye and his teammates will face off against the Seattle Seahawks.
Maye, now in his second NFL season, has been nothing short of spectacular in 2025. He led the league with the highest passer rating and completion percentage, and he guided the Patriots from a 4-13 season in 2024 to a 14-3 record and a Super Bowl berth. Still, when the MVP voting was finalized, Stafford narrowly took the honor.
The close result sparked intense reactions across the NFL world. Some analysts credited Stafford’s performance, which led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns, and his legacy as factors that swayed voters. Others noted that Maye’s efficiency and impact on his team’s remarkable turnaround deserved at least equal consideration. Fans of both quarterbacks threw their support behind their respective choices.
This response echoes a broader sentiment within New England’s locker room, where focus has remained on team success rather than personal accolades. Throughout the season, Maye, who has his wife’s support, has deflected individual honors in favor of emphasizing the collective. In comments from earlier in the year, he stressed that his focus wasn’t on awards but on winning games and helping teammates thrive. He also focused on the Super Bowl as his main focus.
The timing couldn’t be more intense: with Super Bowl LX scheduled for Feb. 8, Patriots players and coaches have pinpointed their attention on Seattle. The strategy, preparation, and physical readiness needed to win it all are consuming every conversation. Maye’s health has been a topic too, but in recent days he assured reporters that his throwing shoulder is “just fine,” further removing distractions from the team’s Super Bowl preparation.
In the days leading up to the big game, New England’s leadership has doubled down on collective goals. Head coach Mike Vrabel and the staff have praised Maye’s growth, resilience, and leadership, framing his MVP-caliber season as a stepping stone toward the ultimate achievement rather than a lone individual milestone.
Published: Feb 6, 2026 03:40 pm