The malaise that haunted Drake Maye through last winter has chased him into the 2026 regular season. The New England Patriots quarterback hasn't just been bogged down by pressure, he's also been the league's most careless player with the ball in his hands. Through three games he's turned the ball over seven times.
As a result, the defending AFC champions are 1-2 following a rout at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday afternoon. New England was briefly competitive before reckless throws and horrible decisions derailed what was one of the league's most efficient offenses just a year ago. Maye's offense mustered only six points. He was replaced in favor of backup Tommy DeVito late in the fourth quarter, effectively waving a white flag on the team's
eventual 35-6 loss.
There's a very dim silver lining for last year's regular season MVP runner-up. There's a 50/50 shot it ends with a Super Bowl ring and Hall of Fame ceremony!
Drake Maye is 1st player since 2007 with 6+ giveaways and 1 or fewer combined TDs (pass + rush) in 1st 3 games.Rex Grossman (1 TD, 6 giveaways) and Drew Brees (1 TD, 9 giveaways) did it that season
— Josh Dubow (@joshdubowap.bsky.social) 2026-09-27T20:07:07.874Z
There aren't too many situations in which you get Rex Grossman and Drew Brees compared in the same sentence. Maye's awful play has united the unlikely bedfellows. Unfortunately, between his start to the season and his playoff debut last winter, the Patriots' quarterback is trending toward Grossman rather than the New Orleans Saints legend.
I mean...
Let your game speak, 12 🤫 @TravisHunterJr | #NEvsJAX on CBSpic.twitter.com/Cx68N1JkSb
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) September 27, 2026
Ooof. Grossman-esque, even.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 1 baffling Drake Maye stat is either terrible or incredible news for Patriots QB
