Drake Maye Practices in Full, Listed With Shoulder Injury
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (shoulder) is on the team's injury report for the first time this season on Wednesday with a right-shoulder injury, but he was a full participant, according to Mark Daniels of MassLive.com. It is something worth monitoring given the 24-year-old's rough start to the 2026 season, but it will not keep him from suiting up this weekend against the division-rival Buffalo Bills on the road in Week 4. The former third overall pick from North Carolina had an amazing first full season as the Pats' starter in 2025, leading them to a Super Bowl appearance while throwing for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 17 regular-season games. Maye struggled in the postseason, though, and that has continued in his first three starts of 2026, as he has thrown for 585 yards, one TD, and six interceptions. It did not help that Maye lost his new WR1 in A.J. Brown (ankle) in the season opener to a high-ankle sprain. Brown is not on the verge of a return anytime soon, and Maye has quickly dropped into low-end QB1 territory in fantasy amidst his disappointing start.
Source: MassLive.com - Mark Daniels
Source: MassLive.com - Mark Daniels
Mike Vrabel Stands Behind Drake Maye
When asked about a WEEI report that there are issues between him and quarterback Drake Maye, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said, "I'm here because Drake was the quarterback... I don't have much to add to that about a comment from an unnamed source," per Mark Daniels of MassLive.com. The 24-year-old signal-caller had a fantastic 2025 season as his first year as the team's full-time starter, leading the club to the Super Bowl and finishing just behind Matthew Stafford in MVP voting. With a much tougher schedule this year and without his top receiver in A.J. Brown (ankle), Maye has struggled through the first three games, completing 63.8% of his pass attempts for 585 yards, only one touchdown, and six interceptions. The Athletic's Chad Graff suggests that the former North Carolina star signal-caller's confidence is down after his rough start. "What's fallen apart with Maye looks like it's between the ears as much as anything physical," Graff said. "He looks like a quarterback whose confidence is shot." Until Maye gets Brown back from Injured Reserve, more struggles could be on the way, starting in a Week 4 divisional clash against the Buffalo Bills on the road.
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Mike Vrabel is Highly Concerned After Week 3 Loss
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was unhappy with his team's performance during the Week 3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Vrabel told reporters that his concern level is very high with this football team, Carlos A. Lopez reports. It was an ugly game for the Patriots, who got crushed 35-6 on Sunday. The defense got exposed by quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who threw three touchdowns. The Pats offense looked bad behind quarterback Drake Maye and his two interceptions. The Patriots take a 1-2 record into their Week 4 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. This is a huge game for New England, which cannot afford to drop to 1-3 on the season.
Source: Carlos A. Lopez
Source: Carlos A. Lopez
Drake Maye Commits Three Turnovers in Blowout Loss
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye had a rough afternoon in Sunday's 35-6 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, turning the ball over three times before giving way to Tommy DeVito late. Maye finished 14-of-25 for 199 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions, and he also lost a fumble. The fumble came in the first quarter when the ball slipped out of his hand on a pass attempt, setting up Jacksonville's first touchdown. Travis Hunter picked Maye off in the end zone late in the second quarter, then Jarrian Jones intercepted him in the third and returned it to the New England 5-yard line. Jacksonville scored on the next play to make it 28-3. There was some passing yardage for Maye, but the turnovers and lack of touchdowns left fantasy managers with very little. He has now thrown six interceptions through three games after tossing three in the opener and one last week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Potential Shootout Offers Bounce-Back Opportunity for Drake Maye
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has been incredibly underwhelming in fantasy football so far this season, but he could have an opportunity to get back on track in a potential shootout against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This game features two teams with high-ceiling offenses that could make deep playoff runs this year. Maye has just one passing touchdown and four interceptions this season, but he has maintained a respectable 67% completion rate. The biggest obstacle for Maye has been the loss of AJ Brown (hamstring), who was placed on injured reserve after Week 1. Still, Romeo Doubs stepped up in a big way last week, and Maye also has some very non-flashy but reliable options in DeMario Douglas, Hunter Henry, and Mack Hollins. Plus, his mobility should serve him well against a Jaguars defense that has allowed the seventh-most quarterback rushing attempts and the eighth-most quarterback rushing yards this season. Maye is still hanging on to his fringe QB1 status, ranking as RotoBaller's #13 quarterback for Week 3.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Drake Maye Picked Off in Another Shaky Performance
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye completed 14 of his 22 pass attempts for 208 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception during Sunday's Week 2 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also rushed for 17 yards and took three sacks. The Patriots pulled off the victory on Sunday, but that doesn't erase the fact that it has been an ugly two weeks for Maye so far this season. He has gone from being the MVP runner-up and AFC champion last year to a highly underperforming quarterback through two games in 2026. Thus far, he has just 386 passing yards, one passing touchdown, four interceptions, and six sacks. If there's any sort of defense for Maye, it's that he has played against two very talented defenses in the Seahawks and Steelers. He'll get a slightly softer matchup with shootout potential next week against the Jaguars, but his track record so far this year has dropped him to the low-end QB1 or high-end QB2 range.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Drake Maye Faces Another Tough Opponent in Week 2
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye could continue to deal with adversity during Sunday's Week 2 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Maye struggled in the season opener last week, tallying one touchdown and three interceptions while looking rattled by the Seahawks' aggressive pressure on defense. The former No. 3 pick still has the top-five upside we saw from him last season, but he needs to prove himself capable of performing against high-caliber defenses. He didn't have much of an answer for the Seahawks last week, and he could continue to struggle against a Steelers defense led by star pass-rusher T.J. Watt. Because of Maye's track record from 2025, fantasy managers might have trouble benching him entirely in Week 2. However, at the very least, he's dropping to the low-end QB1 range for the time being. He ranks as the QB13 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Drake Maye's Decision-Making Called Into Question After Week 1
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye had a Week 1 performance that he'd like to forget. The former No. 3 overall pick completed 23 of his 33 pass attempts for 178 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. He also rushed for 47 yards and took three sacks. The highlight of the game was Maye's ability to move around in the pocket and decide when to take off and run. However, the rest of his decision-making was iffy. In the fourth quarter, Maye stayed in the pocket and threw the ball away, taking an intentional grounding penalty. Shortly after, he rolled out of the pocket and was about to take a loss, so he should have thrown the ball away. Instead, he took the loss of yards. And then, of course, that quarter culminated in the ill-advised pass to the end zone that was picked off. If Maye had played more conservatively, the Patriots could have kicked a field goal to tie the game, at the very least. Instead, he tried to play hero ball, and it resulted in a loss for the Patriots and fewer points for Maye's fantasy managers. In his defense, Maye was facing off against a very aggressive and talented Seahawks defense. However, he'll need to show that he can handle these challenges, as his schedule doesn't get any easier. Maye will face off against T.J. Watt and the Steelers in Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Drake Maye Throws Three Costly Interceptions in Seattle
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye completed 23 of his 33 pass attempts for 178 passing yards, one passing touchdown, and three interceptions. He also rushed for 57 yards and took three sacks. Maye did show occasional flashes, but for the most part, he demonstrated poor decision-making and cost the Patriots the game. On the final drive of the game, Maye committed an intentional grounding play, and then one play later, he took a sack when he could have thrown the ball away. He made up for these bad plays by using his arm and legs to get the Patriots into the red zone, but then everything backfired as Maye threw an ill-advised pass that was picked off with 26 seconds left. The interception sealed the loss for New England, who had been in range to tie the game with a field goal. The only good news for Maye is that he got one of his toughest matchups out of the way. Things should get a little easier next week as Maye and the Patriots host the Steelers on 11 days' rest.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Drake Maye Opens the Season in Must-Start Territory
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye will run into a very tough season-opening matchup on Wednesday. The Patriots travel out west for a Super Bowl rematch against the reigning champion Seattle Seahawks. Maye was the overall QB2 in fantasy football last year with 4,394 passing yards, 450 rushing yards, 35 touchdowns, and 11 turnovers. However, he ran into a tough Seahawks defense in the Super Bowl, tallying two touchdowns and two interceptions as the Patriots lost by 16 points. The Seahawks continue to field a strong defense that will pose a challenge to Maye, but his natural rushing ability and improved passing skills keep him in must-start territory for fantasy football. Plus, his supporting cast saw a massive upgrade this offseason with the additions of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs. He may not immediately be a top-three fantasy quarterback this week, but the former No. 3 pick should still post QB1-level numbers. It's Week 1; don't overthink it. Start your studs, including Maye.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Drake Maye's Growth Has Stood Out to His Head Coach
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye came one vote away from winning the MVP Award in his first full season as a starter, and head coach Mike Vrabel has seen notable improvements since he took over the team in 2025. In speaking with reporters on Thursday about Maye's growth, Vrabel pointed out, "More comfort in what we're doing. More command. More understanding." Maye threw for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns to only eight interceptions, adding 450 yards and four scores on the ground on his way to a QB2 finish, and the Patriots spent the offseason improving his offensive line and pass-catchers, most notably adding receivers A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, both of whom have reportedly established a quick rapport with the 24-year-old signal-caller. Questions about how much a historically easy schedule played into Maye's success have lingered throughout the offseason, particularly after a significant postseason dropoff, but an improved offensive environment could serve to raise a fantasy ceiling that was already among the highest in the league, making him a potential value at RotoBaller's QB6.
Source: Mark Daniels
Source: Mark Daniels
Drake Maye's Fantasy Environment Has Only Gotten Better
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was the MVP runner-up and fantasy QB2 in his second season, his first with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, and since then his weaponry has only grown stronger. The Patriots' top two receivers in 2025 were Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte. The former spent most of the summer as a free agent before finally signing a one-year, $8 million deal with the Commanders, while the latter was traded to the Texans on Monday for what amounted to a 2025 sixth-rounder and a 2028 seventh-round pick. Meanwhile, the Patriots spent a first and a fifth to acquire A.J. Brown after signing Romeo Doubs to a four-year, $68 million contract. New England also ran the league's lowest percentage of plays while trailing in 2025, so a more difficult schedule could lead to even more pass attempts for Maye and a higher fantasy ceiling. The soon-to-be-24-year-old is RotoBaller's QB6, but he has the skill set and the environment to threaten for an overall QB1 finish.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Drake Maye Taking Advantage of Surrounding Talent
As a rookie in 2024, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye threw to a group of receivers consisting of Kendrick Bourne, K.J. Osborn, and the recently retired Ja'Lynn Polk. Just two short years later, his receiver room has transformed into one of the strongest in the league, and in the team's first practice since a preseason opening tie with the Colts, his pass-catchers were putting on a show. In a Saturday session working primarily out of the low red zone, Maye went 10-of-16, while receivers A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, and Kyle Williams combined for seven touchdown grabs. Tight end Hunter Henry added two of his own, while Kayshon Boutte continued to make highlight plays, as he has throughout training camp. Maye was the MVP runner-up and the fantasy QB2 in 2025, and in an offense that by most accounts has gotten significantly better in its second season under Josh McDaniels, he's now being drafted as a top-three quarterback and could realistically push for an overall QB1 finish.
Source: Andrew Callahan
Source: Andrew Callahan
Mike Vrabel Avoids Question Regarding Offseason Scandal
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel sidestepped a question at training camp practice on Tuesday when asked about the counseling session that caused him to miss the third day of the 2026 NFL draft in April, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "I think we always look at improvement," Vrabel said. "As we talk about getting ready for the next season, we always look at improvement and ways that we can improve individually and how we can improve as a team. It's really critical that we continue to do that on and off the field. I believe in that." It's one of the few questions directed at Vrabel this summer that deals with the aftermath of the offseason controversy involving him and former ESPN/The Athletic reporter Dianna Russini. Florio suggests that the controversy is still hovering over Vrabel, and it could move back to the front burner if the Patriots struggle out of the gates in 2026 after reaching the Super Bowl last season.
Source: Pro Football Talk - Mike Florio
Source: Pro Football Talk - Mike Florio
Drake Maye Not Expected to Play in Preseason Opener on Thursday
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is not expected to play in the team's preseason opener on Thursday against the Indianapolis Colts, according to Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald. "I wouldn't anticipate seeing Drake out there Thursday," head coach Mike Vrabel said. Not even the experts most bullish on Maye would have predicted him to finish second in the MVP voting while leading the Patriots to the Super Bowl in 2025 in his first full season as the starter under center. The 23-year-old former third overall pick from North Carolina excelled with the deep ball and had a league-best 72% completion percentage while throwing for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions in 17 regular-season starts. The Patriots' soft schedule definitely helped Maye's cause, as he came back down to Earth in the playoffs and struggled mightily in the Super Bowl loss against an elite defense. But with receivers A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs now in the fold in 2026, the impressive young QB has now jumped into RotoBaller's top-five rankings at the position.
Source: Boston Herald - Andrew Callahan
Source: Boston Herald - Andrew Callahan
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