Patriots QB Drake Maye Receives Surprising NFLPA News Before 2026 Season
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye continues to prove that his popularity extends far beyond the football field.
The NFL Players Association released its 2025 Year-End Top 50 Player Sales List this week, and Maye finished an impressive No. 2 overall among all NFL players in officially licensed merchandise sales.
For a player still early in his NFL career, the ranking is another sign that Maye is rapidly becoming one of the league's most marketable stars.
The NFLPA's annual list measures retail sales of officially licensed player merchandise from March 2025 through February 2026. The rankings include everything from jerseys and apparel to collectibles, figurines, backpacks, wall decals and other licensed products.
Maye's rise was one of the biggest stories on the entire list.
NFLPA dropped their top-selling players list
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) June 9, 2026
(via: @NFLPA) pic.twitter.com/9VM8soJ2et
Massive Jump in 2nd Season for Maye
According to the NFLPA, the Patriots quarterback jumped 30 spots from the previous year and also led the entire league in postseason jersey sales. That surge helped propel him all the way to the No. 2 position behind only Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
The strong showing reflects growing excitement surrounding both Maye and the Patriots organization.
New England fans have been eager for a new franchise quarterback following the post-Tom Brady era, and Maye's emergence has clearly energized the fan base. His popularity has also expanded nationally, with merchandise sales showing strong demand across multiple categories.
Maye Becoming a Face of the NFL
The NFLPA noted that Maye ranked among the most popular athletes in several merchandise segments, including apparel and wall decals. His presence near the top of the rankings places him alongside established superstars such as Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley.
While team success ultimately determines how quarterbacks are remembered, fan engagement remains an important measure of influence. Few young players have generated as much excitement as Maye over the past year.
Mainstay in New England Under Center
The latest NFLPA rankings provide another indication that the Patriots may have found not only their next franchise quarterback but also one of the NFL's biggest stars.
With the 2026 season approaching, Maye's momentum appears stronger than ever.
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This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 12:09 PM.