FOXBORO — It’s important to admit when you’re wrong.

Prior to Week 5, we wrote in the Boston Herald that it would be unfair to compare Drake Maye in Year 2 to Josh Allen in Year 8.

Whoops.

Maye has made the comparison closer than most people possibly could have imagined this season while playing at an MVP-caliber level.

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We spent the lead-up to the Patriots’ Week 5 win over the Bills comparing Maye and Allen at similar points of their career, because that did seem fair. Allen really took until Year 3 to become the Bills quarterback we know today. Maye has taken his leap a year sooner.

“His maturation process has been second to none, in my eyes,” wide receiver Stefon Diggs said Wednesday.

Diggs has played with both quarterbacks. He joined Allen for that Year 3 jump, just like he joined Maye for his breakout season.

“When it comes down to this whole individual, making good decisions consistently, (Maye has) been doing that,” Diggs said of Maye. “As far the MVP conversation, that guy on the other side of the ball we’re about to play against (Allen) is a hell of a player. I believe that that team kind of goes through him.

“At this point, I like our guy. Our guy’s been playing extremely well. I’m not gonna put it all on him. We’ve obviously been supporting him, but he’s done a great job at making good decisions, play in and play out, and I’m super proud of him. Anticipating this game being no different. We just all have to do our best effort and be open, be available. He’s still a young quarterback, and being open doesn’t do nothing but help.”

Maye and Allen are having very similar seasons statistically, but Maye does get the slight edge in most categories.

Maye has completed 71.5% of his passes for 3,412 yards with 8.8 yards per attempt, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions. He’s also rushed 81 times for 319 yards with two touchdowns.

Allen has completed 70.1% of his passes for 3,083 yards with 8.2 yards per attempt, 22 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He’s also rushed 87 times for 487 yards with 12 touchdowns.

Maye has the edge in passer rating (111.9 to 102.9), QBR (72.2 to 65.2), EPA per play (0.272 to 0.268) and completion percentage over expected (9.6% to 3.6%), all while throwing for more air yards per attempt (8.9 to 7.2). Maye also has the higher PFF grade (87.1 to 85.8) and PFF passing grade (86.3 to 77.5). He has the second-best MVP odds behind Matthew Stafford at +200. Allen is fourth at +1500.

In Allen’s second season, he was still a work in progress, completing 58.8% of his passes for 3,089 yards with 6.7 yards per attempt, 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions, adding 109 carries for 510 yards with nine touchdowns on the ground. He had an 85.3 passer rating, 49.4 QBR, averaged 0.043 EPA per play, -1.6% completion percentage over expected with 9.5 average air yards. He had a 64.1 PFF grade and 61.4 PFF passing grade.

Maye, who’s known for his modesty, still believes he’s a ways off from Allen.

“Honored if the comparison is there with Josh. You’re honored to be compared to a guy like him at his level,” Maye said. “I think I’m a far, long ways away from playing like him. He’s the best in the game and looking forward to another matchup, me vs. him.”

Doing this in one season is one thing. Stringing it together over a six-year span is another conversation, but it’s been an incredible ascension for Maye as he’s led his team to an 11-2 record after the Patriots finished the 2023 and 2024 seasons 4-13.

Diggs was asked to compare the two QBs.

“It’s a different offense. That offense over there, they do a lot of scramble drill, they do a lot of different stuff. We do some different things here,” Diggs said. “I mean, as far as like, talent level, it’s very apparent that (Maye) can make every throw, he can run. If you want to kind of go like that route, they’re both mobile. They both can throw the ball. But I think this league is filled with quarterbacks that move and throw the ball.

“Those guys really can make plays at a high level. They just look a little different when they make those plays, when they make those throws, on those key throws. So for me, I could see the comparison, but two totally different offenses. I’ve been in both of them.”

Maye ultimately said the comparison between him an Allen gives the media something to talk about. And head coach Mike Vrabel instructs players not to draw comparisons or set expectations.

But Maye is playing as well as Allen or any other quarterback in the NFL. And if he continues this level of play, other quarterbacks will start being compared to him.