Drake Maye's playoff dud opens up brand new narrative on Bears' Caleb Williams

Pressure can bring out the best or worst in people, as many Chicago Bears fans have seen in the past. It’s in those high-pressure moments that can truly define who stands out above the rest. 

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye had an MVP-type regular season, throwing for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions. There is no denying Maye’s excellence in 2025, but his play greatly diminished in the playoffs. 

Although this postseason was Maye’s first of his career, his play opened the door wide open for Caleb Williams to claim the top spot among quarterbacks selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Caleb Williams might be able to get into the chase for top QB in 2024 draft class

The race includes Maye, Williams, Bo Nix, and Jayden Daniels, while Michael Penix Jr. and J.J. McCarthy are on the clear outside looking in. But this argument will highlight Williams vs. Maye. 

Going back to Maye’s 2025 playoff run, against the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, Denver Broncos, and Seattle Seahawks, the Patriots’ quarterback finished with a -41.2 pass EPA – the worst playoff EPA in the Next Gen Stats era. 

Maye also ended with a total EPA of -29.2, ranking the worst since 2000. 

Could Maye’s shoulder injury have impacted his play? Possibly, but there is no denying he looked hesitant and confused when playing the Houston Texans, Denver Broncos, and Seattle Seahawks. 

Maye made it to the Super Bowl in Year 2, and one playoff run shouldn’t define his career arc, but his postseason performance creates a lot of questions about his play against tougher opponents. 

The Patriots had the third-weakest schedule going into the 2025 season. When the opponents became more formidable, as they did in the playoffs, Maye crumbled. 

Williams earned the “Iceman” nickname for his play in clutch moments. It’s fitting considering the Bears’ quarterback had seven fourth-quarter comebacks this past season. 

In his first postseason appearance, the Bears’ quarterback had mixed results. He finished with 618 passing yards, 60.8 completion percentage, four touchdown passes, and five interceptions. Williams’ accuracy must improve after he finished with a 58.1 completion percentage in the regular season, and turning over the football is a recipe for disaster. 

To play devil’s advocate, two of Williams’ interceptions could be credited to miscommunication between him and the receivers. His throw to Luther Burden III against the Packers and the overtime pick against the Rams. 

They still happened, and Williams will take the blame, but through two seasons, Williams has taken care of the football (13 interceptions through two seasons). 

What also can’t be ignored between the two is Williams’ ability to avoid sacks. Opponents sacked Williams 24 times in the regular season (22nd). Maye was sacked 47 times (fourth). And those numbers were far worse in the playoffs. Williams was sacked once in two playoff games, and Maye set the record with 21 sacks in a single postseason. 

Williams can extend plays, giving his offense and coach Ben Johnson opportunities when the defense makes the right call. Maye can make plays happen with his legs. He finished with the fourth-most rushing yards among quarterbacks, but his instincts to avoid sacks are not on the same level as Williams. 

Maye’s fumbling issues were also highlighted in this playoff run. He fumbled seven times and lost four of them. 

Both quarterbacks have plenty of potential, but Williams’ ceiling under Johnson and his ability to create on his own provide a lot of flexibility for an offense. Football is a team game, and the Seattle Seahawks displayed that, but a quarterback can be the ultimate difference maker. 

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Williams has all the traits and the right pieces around him to separate himself from Maye and the rest of the 2024 quarterback class.