Drake Maye was listed with a right shoulder issue on New England’s first injury report of the week, but the Patriots quarterback said Wednesday that the injury has not changed his throwing or decision-making as the club tries to halt an early-season slide.
Key takeaways
- Maye practiced fully Wednesday despite appearing on the report with a right shoulder injury.
- The Patriots are 1-2 after Maye committed seven turnovers through three games.
- New England’s quarterback has thrown for 585 yards with one touchdown and six interceptions in 2026.
- Mike Vrabel rejected suggestions that his relationship with Maye has deteriorated.
- The Patriots visit the unbeaten Buffalo Bills in Week 4 on Sunday.
Maye says shoulder is not affecting his play
Maye said he feels fine throwing the football and does not believe the shoulder problem has affected the mental side of his job. “It has not,” he said when asked whether it was limiting him. “I don’t believe it changes my decisions, and that is what ultimately determines quarterback play.”
Instead, Maye pointed to the turnovers that have undercut New England’s start. He acknowledged that a quarterback must produce enough positive plays to outweigh the costly ones, adding that he has throws and choices he would like back. He also said he needs to keep trusting his receivers and the offensive line, which he believes has performed well.
The 2025 MVP finalist has endured a sharp reversal after leading the Patriots to the Super Bowl last season. Maye threw for 4,394 yards and compiled a 31-touchdown, eight-interception line in 2025, but he has completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 585 yards this year while posting a 1-6 touchdown-interception ratio.
His passer rating is down 54.9 points from last season, the largest year-to-year decline among qualifying quarterbacks in the Super Bowl era.
New England opened the season with a 13-10 loss to Seattle, when Maye threw three interceptions. He then accounted for each of the Patriots’ three giveaways in Sunday’s 35-6 loss at Jacksonville, throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble when the ball came free as he began his throwing motion.
Maye was replaced by backup Tommy DeVito in the fourth quarter against the Jaguars, though the move came with the game already out of hand. Vrabel said afterward that his level of concern for the team was “very high.”
Vrabel dismisses rift speculation before Bills trip
Vrabel did not express concern over Maye’s availability before Wednesday’s practice and pushed back firmly when asked about a report alleging tension between the coach and his quarterback.
Vrabel said he chose New England in large part because Maye was already in place as the franchise quarterback. He noted that he had options when deciding where to coach and said Maye’s presence was a major reason he wanted the Patriots job.
Maye also rejected the idea of a fractured relationship, calling Vrabel one of the best coaches he has played for. The quarterback said the coach’s demanding approach has made his time in New England enjoyable and that players throughout the locker room share that feeling.
“He pushes us hard, and I have loved playing for him,” Maye said. “That is not changing. It has not changed, and it will not change.”
Maye said he respects the way Vrabel coaches the quarterbacks and wants to show his coach that he can lead the Patriots and play winning football.
Vrabel said his responsibility is to continue coaching the entire team and helping Maye improve, while leaving the offensive details to coordinator Josh McDaniels and the offensive staff. His focus, he said, includes the urgency of the operation, getting the offense in and out of the huddle efficiently, and the quarterback’s command of the unit.
Vrabel described the quarterback as the connection between McDaniels, the play call and the rest of the offense. He wants Maye to deliver each call with conviction and get teammates to believe in the execution, rather than relying on a play design alone to solve problems.
Maye and McDaniels formed a highly productive partnership during the Patriots’ unexpected run to the Super Bowl a year ago. For New England to defend its AFC East title, that connection will need to recover quickly, starting with Sunday’s road matchup against the 3-0 Bills.
