Drake Maye has put to rest any doubts surrounding his availability for Sunday's Super Bowl LX showdown with the Seattle Seahawks.
The New England Patriots quarterback, officially listed as questionable due to a shoulder complaint and recent illness, delivered a reassuring message during Super Bowl Opening Night on Monday.
"I'll be just fine… I threw a good bit," Maye told reporters.
"I threw as much as I would at a normal practice. I felt great, looking forward to getting back out there Wednesday and Thursday for practice again. And Friday, get ready to get a normal week of prep."
Drake Maye has admitted he has some bumps and bruises but will be okay for the Super Bowl
| REUTERSThe 23-year-old signal-caller appeared entirely unfazed by the week's speculation.
The injury concern stemmed from a heavy landing on his throwing shoulder during a 13-yard scramble in the third quarter of the AFC Championship Game against Denver.
Maye completed that contest but was subsequently limited in training sessions on Wednesday and Thursday.
Friday saw him absent from practice altogether, with both shoulder soreness and an illness keeping him sidelined.
His return to the field on Monday, however, demonstrated the young quarterback's determination not to miss the most significant match of his career thus far.
The Patriots will face the Seahawks in the Super Bowl on February 8 | REUTERSThe snowy Denver encounter had already showcased his resilience, with Maye contributing 65 rushing yards and the Patriots' sole touchdown in a hard-fought 10-7 triumph.
When asked whether he had been in contact with Tom Brady since securing a place in the championship game, Maye revealed the two had not yet spoken.
"No, I haven't talked to him yet," Maye said. "But it would mean a lot to me and this team if he reached out. I think he knows what it means to be in this position and what it takes. To have someone like that in your corner — that'd be special."
Brady, who guided New England to six Super Bowl triumphs during his two decades in Foxborough, has previously expressed admiration for his successor's approach.
"Drake Maye has that humility. Everything that comes out of his mouth is always about the team," Brady remarked in December. "That's what great leaders do — they're in service of other people."
Maye's journey to this point represents one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent NFL history.
Drake Maye could be the man to lead the Patriots to glory when they face the Seahawks this weekend
| REUTERSThe second-year professional completed 72 per cent of his passes during the regular season, the highest mark in the league, whilst accumulating 4,394 yards through the air and 31 touchdowns.
His performances propelled the Patriots to a 14-3 record, a dramatic improvement from their 4-13 campaign just twelve months prior.
*** EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SUPER BOWL RIGHT HERE ***
Should New England prevail against Seattle on Sunday, Maye would become the youngest starting quarterback ever to lift the Lombardi Trophy at 23 years and 162 days old.
The contest kicks off at 11:30pm GMT.