Drake Maye’s confidence has taken a hit early this season, and that’s a problem even a cast can’t fix. While the team just pulled off a win against the Steelers, what went wrong with their young QB’s “mojo” is front and center. It’s not just about what you see on the field, it’s about the trust and belief inside the helmet, and Josh McDaniels has a massive job ahead to restore it.
The O-Line Just Took A Huge Gut Punch
It’s bad enough when your QB is struggling, but the Patriots’ offensive line just got absolutely rocked. Mike Onwenu broke his ankle, leaving a gaping hole upfront. We’re talking about a “huge hole” here, and the coaching staff is already scrambling for answers. Greg Van Roten, a late-camp signing, has quickly become an early-season necessity, which tells you everything about the immediate need. If Onwenu is out for the entire season, there’s even talk of moving 2026 first-round pick Caleb Lomu inside from tackle to guard. Five other Patriots are going to have to step up big time to try and replace what Onwenu brought to that line. This isn’t just an injury; it’s a foundational shake-up.
Maye’s Struggles Are Glaring, But The Defense Is Balling Out
Watching Maye out there, you can see the issues. There were at least three plays against the Steelers where he flat-out gave up too quickly. He could’ve held firm, maneuvered in the pocket, and let routes actually develop downfield, but he bailed. The offense, as a whole, is “spotty,” and you could say they’re “scraping gum off the bottom of the desks” after the performance. You have to take the bad with the good, right? Right now, there’s a lot of bad with Maye’s development.
But let’s pour some well-deserved special ice cream party praise on the defense! They earned their flowers, plain and simple. Their pass rush has been the surprise of this young season, and they played a solid game against the Steelers. They absolutely “smothered the man” out there. Remember earlier this year when they “roughed up Aaron Rodgers so thoroughly that he’s probably remembering his time with the Jets fondly”? That’s the kind of defense we’re talking about. They were the reason the Patriots got that win, no question.
The Patriots will gladly take that win over the Steelers, but a reckoning is ahead for them. With Onwenu down and Maye’s confidence shaky, McDaniels and Mike Vrabel have their hands full. The challenge now is to get Maye back on track and patch up that O-line before their season takes an even harder turn.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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