 and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) after the game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/USATSI_27139618-1.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/USATSI_27139618-1.jpg”><figcaption><span>Sep 21, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) after the game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images</span></figcaption></figure><div class='code-block code-block-3' style='margin: 8px 0; clear: both;'>
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Minnesota Vikings fans love to treat New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye like “the one who got away.” But the problem? He didn’t “get away” from the Vikings and was never available in the first place.
One current Minnesota Vikings-themed resentment just doesn’t make sense, though some fans keep repeating it as gospel — seemingly every weekend.
Every weekend, while Maye balls out in New England, some act like the purple team made an egregious error by not drafting Maye. The mindset is absurd. Utterly harebrained.
The Jealousy Factor about Drake Maye Is Oddly Strong for Vikings Fans
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah never passed on Maye.
 warms up before the game aginst the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/USATSI_27137543.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=779,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/USATSI_27137543.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/USATSI_27137543.jpg” alt=”Drake Maye warms up before the Patriots-Steelers game at Gillette Stadium.”><figcaption>Sep 21, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) goes through pregame warmups before facing the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium. The rookie passer methodically rehearsed his footwork and throwing rhythm while teammates stretched along the sidelines under clear afternoon skies as fans settled in for the AFC showdown. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p><strong>Vikings Fans Treat Drake Maye as if Minnesota Passed on Him During Draft</strong></p>
<p>Maye has played like a Top 10 quarterback this season, and virtually every Sunday, a handful of purple fans feel bitter about it.</p>
<p>One such example occurred on <em>X</em>, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday. An aggregator account called <em>The Purple Persuasion</em> lamented the team’s quarterback choices.</p>
<p>“The most annoying part about all this Vikings QB drama is that literally every other option, that didn’t include J.J. McCarthy, looks be a success 📈. 1. <a href=)
Sam Darnold (playing at an elite level). 2. Daniel Jones (playing at an elite level). 3. Drake Maye (playing at an elite level) 4. Aaron Rodgers (playing at a high level). Long way to go still but… 🤦♂️,” TPP tweeted.
The account also erroneously tweeted, “‘DRakE mAYe wAsN’T aN OPtiOn.’ Maye was an option, they decided having a QB around their original pick, a player with their second first rounder in 24, and first in 25 was the better way to go. Time will tell if it was the right choice, doesn’t mean they couldn’t have had Maye.”
The only problem with the assertion? Maye was not an option for Minnesota, unless one lived in fantasy land during the 2024 NFL Draft’s build-up.
Maye Was Picked No. 3 Overall and Not Available via Trade
Here’s what has apparently happened with the budding Maye jealousy: Vikings fans sized up the rookie quarterback field in 2024, and because some of them, above all else, wanted Maye, they decided that he was in play for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Many made the quarterback selection process a binary choice between Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy. But that was just a preference.
Minnesota reportedly offered the Patriots a package for Maye that involved three 1st-Round picks. New England turned it down — probably because it knew Maye was a stud.
 throws downfield during the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/USATSI_27309448.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=826,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/USATSI_27309448.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/USATSI_27309448.jpg” alt=”Drake Maye throws a pass during the Patriots-Saints matchup at Caesars Superdome.”><figcaption>Oct 12, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New England Patriots quarterback D. Maye (10) delivers a downfield throw during second-half action against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. The young quarterback displayed strong arm mechanics and pocket poise as New England’s offense searched for momentum amid a loud and hostile crowd. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>The kicker here is that thinking Minnesota could <em>maybe </em>trade the farm to net Maye doesn’t make him a realistic option for the Vikings — now or a year and a half ago. It would be like wanting the Minnesota Timberwolves to trade for <a href=)
Victor Wembanyama and then getting mad that the San Antonio Spurs wouldn’t listen.
It’s pointless.
A Resentment That Doesn’t Make Sense
Had Minnesota failed to do the diligence on Maye, passed on him on the draft, or publicly announced that it didn’t think Maye was any good — like the Chicago Bears basically did, according to some reports — a resentment for the rest of one’s life would be in play.
The Vikings still have McCarthy to develop — the man has played two career games — so it’s not like they were denied Maye via trade and just re-upped with Kirk Cousins or drafted a late-round moron quarterback later that weekend.
Minnesota has McCarthy, who was available on its draftboard. Minnesota could not trade up for Maye, who was not available on its draftboard.
This is the most open-and-shut draft jealousy scenario imaginable. One guy was there; the other was not.
It’s Okay to Know “You Were Right”
What’s more, if you scouted Maye in January, February, March, and April 2024, and you decided he was the best quarterback for Minnesota’s long-term plan, well, good for you. You know ball.
Maye would’ve totally thrived in the Twin Cities, and in fact, this very website and author made a trade for Maye on draft night its keynote 2024 draft endorsement.
Your Maye takes were correct; this website’s Maye takes were correct.
But the man simply wasn’t gettable. Take solace in knowing you were right, but that doesn’t mean the Vikings were wrong. You can’t be wrong if you didn’t have the chance to be right.
Janik Eckardt on Maye
Our Janik Eckardt weighed in on this very topic last weekend: “The Vikings had to pivot after the failed trade attempt and ended up with Mr. McCarthy out of Michigan. Famously, McCarthy missed his rookie season due to a knee injury, but it would’ve been hard to usurp Sam Darnold anyway.
“Vikings fans, meanwhile, have to watch Maye carve up one defense after another. Unfortunately, he’s wearing a Patriots uniform. Furthermore, Darnold and Daniel Jones have Pro Bowl seasons for the Seahawks and Colts, respectively. A long-term Darnold deal would’ve ended the McCarthy journey, and the Vikings weren’t ready to commit to that despite a 35-touchdown season. Jones had an offer on the table but preferred to go to the Colts, as he saw Anthony Richardson as beatable competition.”
 speaks to the media after training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/USATSI_26792623_168394844_lowres.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/USATSI_26792623_168394844_lowres.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/USATSI_26792623_168394844_lowres.jpg” alt=”Drake Maye speaks with reporters after Patriots training camp at Gillette Stadium. Maye was linked to the Vikings during the lead-up to the 2024 draft.”><figcaption>Aug 6, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback D. Maye (10) addresses reporters after a summer training camp session at Gillette Stadium. The rookie first-rounder discussed his early development, adapting to NFL speed, and learning from veteran teammates while preparing for the upcoming preseason slate. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>McCarthy will practice this week and could be under center on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. </p>
<p>“With those three guys thriving elsewhere, it’s not hard at all to be disappointed, especially with McCarthy’s struggles and injuries. Yet, it’s important to remember that McCarthy is still only 22 years old, and Maye wasn’t the only guy drawing rave reviews in joint practices. Developing a young quarterback isn’t a linear journey,” Eckardt added.</p>
<p>“There’s no guarantee it’s ultimately going to work out, but patience is required. McCarthy’s next chance to see the field will come on Sunday when the Philadelphia Eagles visit U.S. Bank Stadium. His ankle injury remains a major question, though.”</p>
<p>If you’re upset that the Vikings didn’t draft Drake Maye, you’re jealous about a girlfriend who never dated you.</p>
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