New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye did not start his third NFL season on the right foot.
After playing an efficient brand of football through three quarters in Seattle, Maye admittedly lost his patience and threw three fourth quarter interceptions as the Patriots blew a 10-0 lead.
Maye’s struggles and turnover issues struggles against the Seahawks was more of the same from the Patriots’ playoff run last season. That has left some concerned that this is the version of the quarterback to expect
moving forward.
Patriots fan, however, largely feel different. In the latest SB Nation Reacts survey, 70% of participants still have confidence in Drake Maye moving forward.
The comment section posted arguments in both directions:
flippa
Not at all. Folks seem to forget how good the Seahawks D is. It`s a process for him and did really anybody expected him to be perfect in that hostile enviroment wednesday night?! Everybody calm down.
DumpsterFireAtFenway
Yes. I have been for a few years. I wasn’t impressed about Maye’s rookie season. But that wasn’t all his fault. Last season he struggled against good teams and was atrocious in the season opener this year.
If struggles continue throughout the year, the Patriots will have to think long and hard about his future next summer. It’s the reality.
Somename27
I’m not concerned that Drake Maye is a better than average QB in the league already. He’s already demonstrated as well an ability to elevate his team and lead it to the Superbowl. But, we still need to see him excel in high leverage situations repeatedly and demonstrate that he can be a smart enough QB that does not just get by on his physical traits.
SamBam39
Not at all. He is only 24. He is a franchise guy who you build around.
VinceWilforksLightningLegs
I’m not concerned that he’s a bad QB that the Pats are now doomed to mediocrity or worse because Maye actually stinks. I am concerned that he will consistently make Favre/Allen-esque blunders that hold us back from being truly great.
luckyfukikentucky
At the moment I’m not concerned. But in 3-4 weeks if both his play and decision making are not vastly improved I will be concerned.
All in all, this week’s survey results look as follows:
Despite poor results over their last five games — which came against five of the best defenses in football — Maye has showed high-level of quarterback play over his first two seasons. Last year, Maye led the entire NFL with a 72.0% completion percentage, while throwing for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns as he finished as the MVP runner-up.
While 30% of participants are concerned moving forward, Maye’s teammates and coaches join the consensus.
“We have nothing but the utmost confidence in him and everybody on this football team,” said head coach Mike Vrabel. “He’s going to make a lot of plays for us.”
“We have all the confidence in the world in Drake,” added cornerback Carlton Davis. “He’s our guy.”
Maye’s poor result did help lower fan confidence in the overall direction of the team. Just 56% of fans are confident in the direction of the team — down from 96% roughly two weeks ago.
If the Patriots hope to get back to the Super Bowl this season and right their wrongs, they will need the version of Maye they saw for the majority of last season.
New England saw their Super Bowl odds drop slightly after Week 1, as they now hold the 11th best odds on FanDuel Sportsbook — sixth best in the AFC. Maye, meanwhile, is 10th in the league in MVP odds.
