Three interceptions ... in the fourth quarter ... of the season opener.
The majority of experts were so quick to crown Drake Maye over Caleb Williams after only two years.
Chicago Bears fans knew better. They would never.
The New England Patriots' franchise quarterback had one of the worst quarters of football we've ever seen from him as the Seattle Seahawks won this year's season opener. And suddenly, the narrative was alive and well once more: New England's 2025 schedule, along with their route to the Super Bowl, was one of the easiest in recent memory.
Maye didn't just make one bad mistake, he played an atrocious quarter of football in that final period.
Funny enough, we're talking about the same quarter we've seen Williams completely dominate on a regular basis.
We're so quick to judge, these days, aren't we?
Player Name | Owns the "clutch" gene? |
|---|---|
Caleb Williams | Yes |
Drake Maye | Did you even watch the season opener? |
Drake Maye's horrific season opener is only further proof that Caleb Williams is the best quarterback from the 2024 class
Last year, Maye threw for nearly 4,400 yards and 31 touchdowns. On the one hand, sure, he was an MVP finalist. On the other hand, did he benefit from one of the softest schedules in the league?
Judging by how he played against the Seahawks -- a good team -- you don't have to look far to see the argument for Maye doubters.
Last season, Maye and the Patriots only played three 2025 playoff teams during the regular season -- Pittsburgh, Carolina, and Buffalo. They lost to the Steelers, mind you, while splitting the season series with the Bills.
You can see how those who want to argue against Maye and the Patriots, simply because of a lighter schedule, have some legs to stand on. Now, the Patriots still had to win each of the games that helped get them to the Super Bowl, and they did that.
But, in the conversation or debate between Jayden Daniels, Maye and Williams, the entire football world (fans, experts, pundits) have largely become victim of the moment.
After we saw Daniels do what he did as a rookie, getting to the NFC Championship Game, many of us put him no. 1 above Maye and Williams. Then, last year, with Maye being an MVP finalist and playing in a Super Bowl, it was easy for those same folks to put Maye atop the mountain.
Meanwhile, Bears fans know good and well that this is about the long game. When we look back in 10 years, Williams is going to be the consensus No. 1 from that class, and it won't be particularly close.
Maye is a good quarterback, but is he great? Can he become a guy the Patriots can count on against tough teams, when the odds are against him and things matter most?
Caleb already has that factor added to his game. He has that ability in his arsenal. He's proven it several times. He doesn't need to prove a thing in that category.
"But, but, but COMPLETION PERCENTAGE!"
Hello, there, this is reality calling: Maye completed 70 percent of his passes in that season opener against the Seahawks.
How did that work out for him?
Case closed on that argument. Next!
We can debate completion percentage all we want, but the fact of the matter is, Maye couldn't get it done when it mattered most -- and in fact, he did the opposite of "getting it done" three times in the fourth quarter alone!
Three. Fourth. Quarter. Interceptions.
Let's play a game since, as I mentioned, we all love being the victim of the moment. Call it the "what have you done for me lately?" game, if you must, since that's the kind of league we're talking about.
Who would you rather have: the quarterback who just threw three interceptions in a season-opening game?
Or...
The quarterback who tied an NFL record with six game-winning drives and fourth quarter comebacks in his most recent season?
Caleb has the "it" gene. I couldn't care less about what statistics his critics want to throw out there just to pump up one of Maye or Daniels.
Again, I don't have anything against Maye or Daniels, specifically. I simply think it is laughable to say either one is better than Williams -- because they're not.
Williams is the quarterback you want out there in the fourth quarter, game on the line, for all the marbles.
Maye just proved he's not that guy.
What more could you be arguing, here?
Williams is and will forever be the top quarterback from his class.
Read more: Ozzy Trapilo set to (eventually) save Bears from Braxton Jones
For real this time: case closed.
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