Patriots QB Drake Maye doesnt look like MVP

Drake Maye was virtually the NFL’s MVP last yr.

The New England Patriots quarterback completed second in the Associated Press ballot of national media members, with 23 first-place votes and 361 whole factors. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford edged him out with 24 first-place votes and 366 general factors.

Chances are, Maye gained’t be receiving any votes this yr — at least not if the first three video games are any indication of how the remaining of the season will go. Months after serving to the Patriots to a shock Super Bowl look, the third-year participant and two-time Pro Bowl choice is just not taking part in close to the usual he established last yr.

Maye has thrown only one landing move so far this season after tossing 31 a yr in the past. And he has been intercepted six occasions already in 2026 after getting picked off only eight occasions whole last season.

The Patriots are 1-2 at the second, the same file that they had after the first three video games last season. But Maye confirmed promise in those video games a yr in the past, throwing for 5 touchdowns and two interceptions.

During a 35-6 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Maye was picked off twice and also fumbled two occasions, shedding one. The misplaced fumble got here first, when an untouched Maye misplaced grip of the ball while reaching back to move late in the first quarter.

After the sport, Maye told reporters that blood from heart Jared Wilson’s hand had gotten on the ball and made it slippery. But, he added, “at the same time, I’ve got to hold onto the football.”

Jaguars two-way participant Travis Hunter, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner and second general draft decide in 2025, acquired his first NFL interception when he picked off Maye in the end zone late in the second quarter.

Then in the third quarter, on the Patriots’ first play from scrimmage after falling behind 21-3, Maye had a move intercepted by Jacksonville’s Jarrian Jones. Jones stepped in entrance of a move supposed for Kyle Williams and returned it to the New England 5-yard line.

The Jaguars scored on the next play to take a 28-3 lead, after which Patriots coach Mike Vrabel might be seen on the sideline with both fingers on Maye’s shoulders in an obvious attempt to consolation his quarterback.

“My conversations with each person on that sideline, I have to do my best each and every play, whoever I’m communicating with, to try to get the best out of them,” Vrabel told reporters Monday. “So I’ll have conversations with a lot of people. I’ve got a lot of faith and confidence in everybody that’s here. That’s why they’re here.”

Maye, who accomplished 14 of 25 passes for 199 yards and was sacked thrice, completed with a passer ranking of 48.6, the second-lowest of his profession.

“It’s disappointing,” Maye told reporters after the sport. “I think the ball starts rolling like that, we can’t get out of our own way — can’t get out of my own way, personally. So I gotta look myself in the mirror and take it to the turning point. … I’ve got to start with myself and lead these guys and we’ve got to get back after it.”

After the 2025 season, Maye revealed that he had injured his throwing shoulder during the AFC championship sport against the Denver Broncos and acquired an injection to help with the pain before the Patriots’ 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX. Both he and Vrabel have said they don’t really feel there have been any lingering results from that injury.

On Sunday, Maye told reporters that his confidence hasn’t wavered despite the tough start to the season.

“This is an opportunity to band together and realize that the best football that we play is together,” he said, “and realize that’s going to start with me, protecting the football and protecting this team. Because that’s my job and I’ve been failing to do that.”