Drake Maye’s struggles in the New England Patriots’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX sparked sharp criticism from a former Super Bowl champion, who dismissed claims that Maye should be favored over Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford for the NFL MVP award. The game, played at Levi’s Stadium, exposed Maye’s difficulties under pressure, raising questions about his candidacy for the MVP title amid the ongoing Drake Maye MVP controversy.
Eric Weddle, a former safety who won the Super Bowl alongside Stafford with the 2021 Rams, strongly backed his ex-teammate while highlighting the differences in quarterback performance.
Staff vs Seahawks looks a bit different than Maye. We know what we’re talking about when it comes to MVP and levels to QB play.
?Eric Weddle, Former NFL Safety
Comparing Maye’s Struggles to Stafford’s Consistency
Maye faced intense pressure, taking six sacks, fumbling once, and throwing two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. This poor showing opened the door for critics convinced that Maye was not a legitimate MVP contender compared to Stafford.
NFL analyst Scott Kacsmar reinforced this viewpoint with statistics from Pro Football Reference, bluntly pointing out the gulf between the two quarterbacks.
Reminder: Matthew Stafford threw 20 more TDs against winning teams than Drake ‘The Schedule’ Maye.
?Scott Kacsmar, NFL Writer
The Patriots’ reliance on a tough defense helped mask some of Maye’s inconsistencies throughout the playoffs, but his erratic play continued into the Super Bowl. Compounded by a shoulder injury that required treatment before the game, Maye faced Seattle’s league-leading defense, known for varied coverages and complex blitz schemes.
Maye’s inability to cope with this defensive pressure drew criticism as clear evidence that the MVP debate was skewed. CBS Sports’ Will Brinson emphasized the disparity.
Matthew Stafford versus Drake Maye in the MVP race shouldn’t have been as close as it was and this game against this defense is concrete proof.
?Will Brinson, CBS Sports Analyst
Unlike Maye, Stafford had already faced the Seahawks’ defense three times during the season, showing strong results. According to broadcaster Holden Cantor, Stafford’s numbers against Seattle were formidable.
Threw for 8 touchdowns 0 interceptions and 961 yards against this Seahawks defense.
Shoutout to the MVP voters that voted Stafford.
?Holden Cantor, Sports Broadcaster
Patriots’ Supporting Cast Falls Short Compared to Rams
Maye’s difficulties were compounded by weaknesses in the Patriots’ offensive line, especially rookie left tackle Will Campbell, whose postseason errors contributed to the quarterback’s troubles. In contrast, Stafford benefited from a sturdy offensive line that includes tackle Alaric Jackson and guards Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson, providing stronger protection.
Stafford also enjoyed the advantage of throwing to proven All-Pro receivers like Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. While Maye’s targets include notable 1,000-yard receiver Stefon Diggs, the overall quality of his supporting cast does not match that of the Rams.
Looking ahead, the Patriots must focus on strengthening their offensive line and improving Maye’s receiving options to allow him to fully display his athletic talent and keep the team competitive. Without bolstering these areas, Maye’s ability to lead New England to future Super Bowl contention will be limited.
Staff vs Seahawks looks a bit different than Maye. We know what were talking about when it comes to MVP and levels to QB play.
— Eric Weddle (@weddlesbeard) February 9, 2026
Reminder: Matthew Stafford threw 20 more TDs against winning teams than Drake "The Schedule" Maye pic.twitter.com/xsmSqDZqYj
— Scott Kacsmar (@ScottKacsmar) February 6, 2026
QB Drake Maye acknowledged that he received a pain-killing injection for his right throwing shoulder before Super Bowl LX.
He made it clear he was “ready to go”; at the same time this adds some context to what he was managing injury-wise.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) February 9, 2026
Matthew Stafford versus Drake Maye in the MVP race shouldn’t have been as close as it was and this game against this defense is concrete proof
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) February 9, 2026
Matthew Stafford threw for 8 touchdowns 0 interceptions and 961 yards against this Seahawks defense. Shoutout to the MVP voters that voted Stafford
— HoldenCantor (@HoldenCantor) February 9, 2026
