Cincinnati, Ohio — November 24, 2025

In the immediate aftermath of the Patriots’ heart-stopping 26-20 victory over the Bengals, the biggest talking point wasn’t the final score — it was the rare, almost reverent praise that Joe Flacco showered on Drake Maye. On a night when the Patriots faced every imaginable obstacle, Maye still guided his team to a ninth straight win. That performance left Flacco so impressed that even Patriots Nation had to swell with pride.

The game quickly turned chaotic for Maye when both of his “steel shields” — LT Will Campbell and LG Jared Wilson — were carted off the field one after another with serious injuries. Losing the entire left side of the line left Maye under constant pressure from the Bengals’ pass rush. Yet he maintained offensive rhythm, completed high-pressure throws, and kept the Patriots afloat as the momentum began swinging heavily toward Cincinnati.

Despite being hunted on nearly every snap, Maye still threw for over 250 yards, added two crucial touchdowns, and controlled the game with a composure rarely seen in such a young quarterback. His toughness in decisive moments helped the Patriots lock down their eighth road win of the season and earned him absolute respect from the opposing locker room. Given the brutal personnel situation, that performance truly exceeded all expectations.

Joe Flacco could barely contain his emotion when talking about his younger counterpart, creating a moment that instantly went viral after the game. “He played like a guy who isn’t afraid of any challenge. No matter what was thrown at him, Drake stood tall and dragged his entire team forward with every ounce of heart he has. I’ve seen a lot of young talent, but very few have the poise and strength to stay that calm and that tough in the hardest moments. That’s why he’s truly special.” Patriots Nation heard it and simply exploded with pride.

But right after those glowing words, Flacco ignited a social-media firestorm. As he walked into the tunnel, he went straight to Maye to ask for a jersey swap — and then asked for an autograph. The gesture of respect immediately rubbed Bengals fans the wrong way, with many feeling their quarterback showed too much admiration on the night their team lost. While it sparked controversy in Cincinnati, that moment only further highlighted the value of Maye — a player now entering the brightest phase of his young career.