New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye feels fit and ready to 'finish the ride' as he bids to lead his team to Super Bowl glory on Sunday.
The 23-year-old has been able to return to full training this week as he steps up recovery from an injury to his right throwing shoulder as well as being laid low by illness.
The Patriots are set to compete in a first Super Bowl since 2019 when they face the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California and will be looking for a record seventh title.
Maye is confident his fitness will stand up as he aims to drive the Patriots on to a successful end to a first campaign under head coach Mike Vrabel, which many had not been expected to last the distance.
"I am really excited – a chance to play in this game is your dream come true and what you work for all year long," Maye told a press conference on Thursday.
"I am not trying to lie to you guys – when I am saying I am feeling great, you know, I am feeling great and looking forward to get out there.
"I will be out there today when we have another day of practice, we get one tomorrow and I am feeling pretty good."
The Patriots topped the AFC East regular-season standings with 14 wins before going on to beat the Houston Texans and then edged the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game to secure their spot at Super Bowl LX.
Maye feels unity has been key to the Patriots’ progress under Vrabel, who is bidding to become the only person to win a Super Bowl as a player and head coach with the same team.
"Winning helps – and I think just buying into the same belief in each other and what coach Vrabel was trying to get accomplished," Maye said.
"From day one, I feel like the guys have really kind of took what coach Vrabel wanted to do with us and have just really applied it to our lives in every single way, whether it is on the field or off the field.
"Coach Vrabel always says he treats us how we treat the team. I think that is how guys have taken this year and it is just you really ride together and want to play for each other.
"From there on, we just have had fun doing it every single day since. It has been a ride – and we are looking forward to trying to finish it."
The Seahawks – who finished top seed in the NFC with a 14-3 regular-season record before beating the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers to make the Super Bowl – also have their own injury concerns.
Quarterback Sam Darnold has been carrying a left side strain through the play-offs but is expected to make it through for Sunday.
Safety Nick Emmanwori suffered a low ankle sprain during Wednesday's practice, but coach Mike Macdonald remains positive.
"He is going to do the walkthrough today," Macdonald told a press conference. "We are not sure how extensive, if it all, he is going to practice, but he is confident. We have got a great plan and fully expect him to play."
