“It Is Not A Fluke” — While Fans Debated If Drake Maye Is The MVP, Ja’Whaun Bentley’s Unexpected Comment About His Former Teammate Ended The Argument Instantly
The atmosphere inside Gillette Stadium has changed. Just two years ago, the mood was somber, filled with the uncertainty of a rebuilding franchise. Fast forward to December 2025, and the noise is deafening. The New England Patriots are riding a ten-game winning streak, sitting comfortably at 11-2, and the chants raining down from the stands are unmistakable: “MVP! MVP!” At the center of this resurgence is quarterback Drake Maye, a player who has transformed from a promising rookie into the league’s most dangerous signal-caller.
However, with rapid success comes skepticism. Despite the winning streak, football analysts and rival fans have debated whether this sophomore surge is sustainable or merely a stroke of good luck. Is Drake Maye truly elite, or is he just managing games well? That debate raged on until Monday night, when former Patriots linebacker and defensive leader Ja’Whaun Bentley stepped in to settle the score once and for all.
The Performance That Sparked the Conversation
The conversation reached a boiling point following New England’s dismantling of the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. In a 33-15 victory, Maye was surgical. He didn’t just manage the game; he dominated it. completing nearly 78% of his passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns. His 33-yard strike to Kyle Williams wasn’t just a throw; it was a statement.
Yet, for those who haven’t watched every snap, the question remained: Is he “the guy”? It is easy to look good when the team is winning, but true greatness is harder to identify. That is where Ja’Whaun Bentley’s perspective became the ultimate validator.
The Veteran’s Seal of Approval
Bentley, who now plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers, spent seven seasons in New England. He was a captain, a leader, and a man who saw everything that happened behind the scenes. He was there during Maye’s rookie season in 2024, watching the young quarterback navigate the brutal transition from college to the pros.
After watching Maye tear apart the Giants, Bentley took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his thoughts. He didn’t offer generic praise. Instead, he offered a confirmation of greatness.
“Nothin 10 does surprises me,” Bentley wrote, referring to Maye by his jersey number. “U can tell when a player is ‘one of them’.”
Decoding “One of Them”
In NFL locker room culture, the phrase “one of them” carries immense weight. It doesn’t just mean a player is good. It means they are different. It means they possess the “it” factor—the intangible quality that separates the stars from the legends. When a veteran linebacker who has played against the best says you are “one of them,” the debate is effectively over.
Bentley’s comment silenced the critics because it provided context that the box score cannot. It implied that what we are seeing on the field in 2025—the leadership, the precision, the calmness under pressure—was already visible in practice back in 2024. It confirmed that Maye’s current MVP run is not a fluke or a hot streak; it is the natural evolution of a special talent.
From Potential to Production
The stats back up Bentley’s assessment. Maye isn’t just winning; he is leading the NFL in completion percentage at 71.8%. He has cut his interceptions in half compared to his rookie year, showing a maturity that usually takes veterans years to master. The Patriots, under the guidance of Mike Vrabel, have built an offense that trusts Maye to make the big plays, and he has delivered every single time.
This endorsement from a former teammate is particularly powerful because Bentley has no reason to lie. He is on a different roster now. He gains nothing from hyping up a Patriots player. His praise comes from a place of genuine respect for the game and for the player Maye has become.
The Road to the MVP
With the bye week arriving, the Patriots are in pole position for the AFC’s top seed. The schedule ahead is brutal, featuring matchups against the Buffalo Bills and the Baltimore Ravens. These games will be the final test of Maye’s credentials.
However, the narrative has shifted. Before Monday night, the question was, “Can Drake Maye keep this up?” After Ja’Whaun Bentley’s comments, the question has become, “Who is going to stop him?”
For Patriots fans, Bentley’s tweet was the validation they had been waiting for. It was a reminder that while the rest of the league is just catching on to Drake Maye, those inside the building knew the truth all along. He isn’t just having a good year. He is “one of them,” and his reign is just beginning.
