Drake Maye had a breakout season in 2025, looking excellent in his second season while leading the New England Patriots to a Super Bowl appearance. But his first performance of the 2026 season suggests things may look very different in his third year.
The Patriots lost a Super Bowl rematch against the Seahawks 13-10 on Wednesday night in the NFL's season-opening game, and Maybe did not impress during Week 1 in the slightest. He finished the game 23-for-33 passing with 178 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions, while adding 47 rushing yards with his legs. He posted a 54.9 passer rating.
Drake Maye against the Seahawks tonight: • 23 for 33 • 178 passing yards • 47 rushing yards • 1 TD • 3 INTs • 54.9 passer rating Simply AWFUL 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/cQ4pbdAsOW
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 10, 2026
Maye certainly wasn't happy with his performance after the game, taking accountability for his poor play and calling his decision "unacceptable" while acknowledging he'll work hard to correct those mistakes moving forward.
“I lost patience, and it cost us. Decisions that cost us the game on my part, on my end," Maye said.
"You can’t have those, it’s unacceptable. I gotta get back to work, because that wasn’t how I play football, and how I want to represent my game and play quarterback for the Patriots."
Third Season Slump for Drake Maye?
It's not uncommon for football players who have incredible performances as freshmen at lower levels of the game, or rookies in the NFL, to regress in their second season. It happens enough that the term "sophomore slump" is a phrase in the popular lexicon. Maye didn't have that problem in his second season in the league – it was quite the opposite, actually – but it looks like he might be in for a third-season slump (if such a term exists).
Over Maye's stats in the past five games, dating back to the start of last season's playoffs, he has thrown just seven touchdowns to seven interceptions, lost four fumbles, and been sacked 24 times, while averaging just 6.6 yards per passing attempt. If that continues throughout this season, it would be hard not to characterize Maye as being in a slump.
Drake Maye's last 5 games:
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) September 10, 2026
7 TD : 11 turnovers
7 INTs, 4 fumbles lost
24 sacks taken
143 yards lost on sacks
6.6 yds/att
5.6 net yards/att pic.twitter.com/NdxI32L4Rb
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Is Drake Maye's ugly Week 1 effort the start of a third-season slump?
