Drake Maye was the talk of the league in 2025, racking up MVP runner-up votes. Fast forward to this year, 2026, and the guy is sitting second from the bottom in passer rating among quarterbacks who’ve even played two games. What in the world happened?
From MVP Buzz to On-Field Nightmare
Things have gone south, and fast. Week 1? Disaster. Three absolutely ill-advised interceptions in the fourth quarter. You simply cannot allow that. Then Week 2 rolls around, and you’re hoping for a bounce-back, right? Nope. Another head-scratching interception, this one coming *after* a long completion to Romeo Doubs. Think about that: a big play, then it’s just given away. Maye ended up with 14 completions on 22 attempts for 208 yards and that single pick. Those numbers are tough to stomach for a guy who was just nearly an MVP.
Vrabel Hits His Boiling Point
You know things are getting tense when the head coach shuts down reporters like Mike Vrabel did. Ben Volin from the Boston Globe tried to get a read on Vrabel’s concern about the offense, and if Maye was pressing. Vrabel’s response? Straight fire, man. “No, I’m trying to win the game, Ben. You’re not gonna ruin my Sunday, but I’ll come back to you tomorrow. Thanks, bud.” That’s a coach on edge, trying to hold it together after what sounds like a hard-fought win they desperately needed. But then Greg Bedard from Boston Sports Journal steps up for a related question. And Vrabel cuts him off cold, saying “You, neither. You’re not gonna ruin it, either.” The man wanted silence. He wanted his Sunday, and that’s telling. His reaction, even after a needed win with road trips to Jacksonville and Buffalo on the horizon, shouts that there is absolutely something to be worried about with the offense.
Look, Vrabel should be happy they got a win, especially with those tough road games coming up. But you don’t shut down reporters like that if everything’s peachy. Maye’s dramatic drop-off from an MVP contender to bottom-tier passer is a massive red flag. The on-field performance has been rough. The coach’s frustration is clear. This team needs to figure out what’s going on with their franchise quarterback, and they need to do it yesterday. The season is still young, but the pressure is already immense.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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