Drake Maye faced a harsh test in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium on February 8, where his performance did not meet expectations despite a strong regular season. While many considered him an unlucky contender for NFL MVP, Maye struggled badly in the championship game, falling short of leading the New England Patriots to victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
Washington Commanders fans can take some comfort in Maye’s difficulties, as the team chose Jayden Daniels over Maye in the 2024 draft. Maye was sacked six times, lost a fumble, and threw two interceptions, including a pick-six, contributing heavily to the Patriots’ 29-13 loss. ESPN’s Brady Henderson highlighted that Maye’s Total QBR of 16.3 in the Super Bowl was his worst in his two-year career as a starter.
These struggles were the culmination of a playoff run where Maye’s performances were underwhelming despite three wins, largely supported by a strong Patriots defense rather than offensive efficiency. Sheil Kapadia of The Ringer noted,
“In the last 10 years, there have been 33 QBs to make at least 3 starts in a given postseason. Drake Maye’s playoff performance among that sample ranks last, according to EPA per pass play. Shoulder and other factors. But he looked like a different guy over the last month.”
The statistical decline has cast Maye’s postseason in a negative light, emphasizing the strong rookie season of Daniels and suggesting the Commanders may have selected the player with better long-term potential.
Jayden Daniels’ Promising Start Despite Challenges
Jayden Daniels narrowly missed reaching the Super Bowl as the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, achieving more with fewer resources than Maye. While New England enjoyed the support of a defense ranked fourth in points allowed and eighth in yards allowed—featuring elite players like Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Carlton Davis III, and Christian Gonzalez—the Commanders’ defense was only ranked 18th in points allowed two seasons ago.
Offensively, the Patriots bolstered Maye with standout playmakers including running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson, along with All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Daniels, on the other hand, lacked such a formidable supporting cast during his inaugural season.
To maximize Daniels’ development, Washington’s general manager Adam Peters may want to reconnect him with a former college teammate and invest free-agency resources wisely, possibly targeting top talents such as the Seahawks’ Super Bowl MVP. Elevating the talent around Daniels will be critical, as will improving the team’s defensive unit to address previous shortcomings.
Despite facing durability issues through a hamstring injury and a dislocated elbow, Daniels has shown resilience and has room to grow. The reinforcement of the supporting cast will also help ease concerns about his on-field decision-making, giving the Commanders confidence in their choice over Maye.
Comparing Prospects: What the Future Holds for Both Quarterbacks
The disparity between Daniels’ rookie achievements and Maye’s recent playoff struggles highlights the significance of team context and individual readiness on football’s biggest stage. While Maye has demonstrated flashes of potential during regular seasons, his postseason difficulties at Levi’s Stadium have tempered expectations.
Conversely, Daniels’ ability to perform amid a less dominant defense and without the luxury of multiple offensive stars underscores a foundation for further growth. The Commanders’ priority will be to surround Daniels with effective skill-position players and shore up defensive weaknesses to capitalize on his talent.
These developments set the stage for both quarterbacks and their respective franchises. For the Commanders, investing in Daniels and enhancing the roster could translate to deeper playoff runs ahead, while Maye will need to rebound in future seasons to validate the hype that surrounded his early career.
Dominant defense by Seahawks. Terrible offense by Patriots. Drake Maye had a great 2nd season….in the regular season. His post-season was horrendous. He’s good and will get better, I’ll take Jayden.
— Kevin Sheehan (@kevinsheehanDC) February 9, 2026
Another note on how dominant the Seahawks’ defense was tonight. Per ESPN Research, Drake Maye — who finished second in this year’s MVP voting — posted a 16.3 Total QBR in Super Bowl LX, his worst as a starter in his two NFL seasons.
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) February 9, 2026
In the last 10 years, there have been 33 QBs to make at least 3 starts in a given postseason.
Drake Maye's playoff performance among that sample ranks last, according to EPA per pass play.
Shoulder and other factors. But he looked like a different guy over the last month.
— Sheil Kapadia (@SheilKapadia) February 9, 2026
