Drake Mayeand the New England Patriots went from four wins to the Super Bowl in a one-year flip. Following an MVP-caliber season, the quarterback is aiming to return to the big stage.
Of the last 10 Super Bowl losers, half missed the playoffs the following season, including the past two (San Francisco, Kansas City). Only three teams in history have lost a Super Bowl and come back to win the Lombardi Trophy the following season — 1970 Dallas Cowboys, 1971 Miami Dolphins, 2017 New England Patriots.
During an interview at The Masters over the weekend with his wife, Ann Michael, Maye said he understands how tough it is to reach the mountain top.
“I think that’s the biggest thing about it: It’s humbling. You’ve got to get back to work. When you’re so close and within reach, you want that feeling,” Maye said via Pro Football Network. “Everybody says, ‘You’ll be back.’ It’s not that easy. So, we’ve got to get back to work, and I’m looking forward to trying to prove to myself that I can get back and just have another year to get a chance at it.”
Maye was lights out last season, leading the NFL with a 72% completion rate and an 8.9 yards per attempt average. He finished with 4,394 passing yards, 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He carried a nondescript Pats offense to the Super Bowl.
After the breakout campaign, Maye wants to double down.
“Everybody’s got the same goal this time of year: to get back to that game,” he said. “I think knowing that we were there and had a chance at it’s just that much more fulfilling for me being able to reach that.”
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