There are just four NFL teams remaining in postseason play, with four former UNC football standouts scattered across those rosters. One Tar Heel in particular, though, is MVP contender Drake Maye.
A quarterback who starred at North Carolina from 2021-2023, Maye is anchoring the New England Patriots‘ most successful season since Bill Belichick’s head coaching days. Maye has his team in its first AFC Championship game since 2019, when New England won its most recent Super Bowl Title.
On Thursday, Maye earned some well-deserved recognition for his breakout campaign, earning one of the AP’s five finalist nominations for NFL MVP.
Joining Maye in this exclusive group are San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, the last of whom is widely considered the MVP frontrunner.
Maye has a golden chance to deliver his MVP-clinching moment on Sunday, with the Patriots traveling to face the Denver Broncos in a cold, 3 p.m. ET AFC Championship clash.
One step closer. đź‘ź
The Real MVP. @DrakeMaye2pic.twitter.com/AJSnZElrPm
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) January 22, 2026
Bias aside, Maye makes an extremely strong case to win MVP in his “Sophomore” NFL season. Maye’s 4,394 passing yards are fourth amongst quarterbacks in the regular season, his 31 passing touchdowns are third and his 77.1 QBR led the NFL.
Maye also compiled 450 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns in regular season action, showcasing the same dual-threat ability he did as a Tar Heel.
Despite five turnovers in the postseason, Maye is playing solid football in leading New England one win from the Super Bowl. Maye completed 33 of his first 56 passes for 447 yards and four touchdowns, while adding 76 rushing yards on 14 carries.
If Maye takes better care of the football on Sunday and his offensive line holds up, Maye will have no issue putting an exclamation point on his case for NFL MVP.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Drake Maye tabbed a finalist for 2025 AP NFL MVP award