The New England Patriots, fresh off a Super Bowl appearance just a year ago and loaded with high hopes for this season, are in a seriously lackluster slump right now. This team was supposed to be above average, but they’re struggling, and a big chunk of that falls on quarterback Drake Maye. He’s not blaming everyone else, though; he’s stepping up and admitting he needs to be better, recognizing what’s gone wrong.
Forget Big Plays, Focus on Fast Starts
Maye spoke to reporters and got real about what’s missing, pointing to some stuff that’s way simpler than anyone’s been talking about. He’s not dwelling on the huge plays the Patriots haven’t pulled off. Instead, his focus is on how the team kicks off each game. “I think starting fast as a football team,” Maye said, per the Globe, when asked about his main area of focus. He even referenced a recent game where they “had a good jump last week,” but it blew up with a turnover on the very first possession. Ouch.
“Find Some Completions Early”
For himself, Maye’s message is clear: “find some completions early.” He’s also planning to “don’t be shy from trying to take what they give you, [and] also stretch the field.” That’s a huge shift. We all know Maye is one of the best young quarterbacks out there, but even the best guys have things to figure out. Taking those easy checkdowns, getting a couple of yards here and there early in games? That builds confidence, especially for a young guy. It sounds like he’s ready to lean into that strategy. The Patriots don’t have a ton of wiggle room with their brutal schedule, so Maye better figure this out fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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