DENVER — Ten years ago — the last time the Super Bowl was held in San Francisco — Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was a fan in the stands, cheering on his hometown Panthers.

Now, Maye and the Patriots are Super Bowl-bound with the championship game back in the Bay Area.

“It’s full circle,” Maye said Sunday after the Patriots’ AFC Championship Game win. “My dad, when I was maybe in seventh grade, said if the Panthers made it we were going to go. It was heartbreaking, they lost to the Broncos.

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“But no, it was a good experience for a kid my age who loved football, loved quarterbacks. That was Peyton’s last game. What a [Pro Football] Hall of Fame career he’s had. Pretty cool to be full circle, going back here 10 years later, and I think it’s just a special moment for this whole team, and we’re just going to enjoy it tonight and head back. We have two weeks, so we have some work to do, but I’m looking forward to seeing who we’re going to play.”

Maye grew up as a huge Panthers and Cam Newton fan. The Broncos beat the Panthers 24-10 in that game off a strong defensive performance.

That’s how the Patriots advanced over the Broncos in Sunday’s AFC title game. Maye was just 10-of-21 for 86 yards but added 65 yards and a touchdown on 10 rushing attempts in snowy, windy conditions.

“We didn’t play our best ball in the first half, and in the second half came out and just battled the elements, snow,” Maye said. “It was a gritty win. Our defense stepped up. It was fun to watch.”

The Patriots defense held the Broncos to just 181 net yards.

Maye has not played his best football over three postseason games, but they’ve also faced three of the NFL’s top defenses.

“I think we still haven’t played our best football yet in these playoffs. I’m looking forward to seeing that and hopefully having that click and win the Super Bowl,” Maye said.