Why Drake Maye had an issue with latest Patriots Pro Bowl picks

“I think there’s numerous guys on our squad that I think are deserving. I don’t want to leave out anybody’s name.”

Drake Maye is heading back to the Pro Bowl. Danielle Parhizkaran / The Boston Globe

For the second year in a row, Patriots QB Drake Maye was named a Pro Bowl participant.

After serving as an alternate last season, Maye was voted onto the Pro Bowl roster in 2025 amid his ascension as a legitimate MVP candidate.

As such, Maye expressed plenty of gratitude on Tuesday during his weekly meeting with the media — adding that he gained plenty of experience last year while playing alongside some of the NFL’s top stars.

“Obviously, I was probably the last choice,” Maye said of his status as an alternate last year. “They finally got somebody to go. I was a rookie … but it was awesome to be around the older players and veterans and quarterbacks. Joe Burrow and Russell Wilson … he went to some Super Bowls. I got to spend some time with him. For me, it was awesome.

“With Baker [Mayfield] and [Jared] Goff on the other side. And Sam Darnold. Those guys, getting to know how they carried themselves … seeing how bad the taste in their mouth was, and how bad they want to win … It was really cool for me to be around them. I definitely didn’t belong.”

Maye definitely belongs in that class amid a season where he has led New England to the top of the AFC standings.

Even though Maye appreciated earning a spot in the Pro Bowl, he did take umbrage with the fact that the 12-3 Patriots will only have two Pro Bowl participants between him and cornerback Christian Gonzalez.

“I think there’s numerous guys on our squad that I think are deserving. I don’t want to leave out anybody’s name. But I don’t see frustration from the guys [who weren’t picked],” Maye said. “They want to focus on the games ahead and what we can do this season as a team.

“They’re less worried about individual statistics and awards and that’s what’s cool about this team and makes me want to be that way as well.”

Even if the case can be made that other players like Marcus Jones, Stefon Diggs, and other key cogs all warranted Pro Bowl consideration, Maye stressed that both he and his teammates have more pressing matters to deal with at this juncture on the NFL calendar.

“Obviously, you want to play this game at a high level, and earn the respect of your peers and your organization and around the league,” Maye said. “It’s a great honor, but like I said and keep saying, I care about winning.

“I realize what the Pro Bowl is about. It’s obviously a great honor. I’m not trying to put that to bed. It’s not that it isn’t a cool deal, it really is. But we have some more important games ahead, and I look forward to that.”