The Patriots are 1-1 and entering a tough road stretch against the Jaguars and Bills.
Let’s answer your pressing questions in this week’s Patriots mailbag.
#### @cntreanor: When do we start to be concerned with Maye?
It’s a fair question.
I’ll start by saying not yet.
But Drake Maye is now completing 61.1% of his passes for 1,214 yards with seven touchdowns and eight interceptions in his last six games. His passer rating is 76.2, and his success rate is 37.1%.
Maye has [only played quality defenses](https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/09/17/patriots-drake-maye-feeling-pressure-to-rebound-from-season-debut/) over the last six games, with two matchups against the Seahawks and one each against the Chargers, Texans, Broncos and Steelers, but at a certain point, you do have to perform better against tough competition, and [that hasn’t happened](https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/09/22/patriots-film-review-what-went-wrong-for-drake-maye-and-went-right-for-mike-vrabels-defense/) since Jan. 11.
I think you would like to see Maye perform like his 2025 self over the next two games.
Through two weeks, the Jaguars’ defense ranks 15th in dropback EPA after playing the Browns and Broncos, and the Bills’ defense ranks 28th in the same metric after facing the Texans and Lions.
The Jags and Bills are good teams, but they’re allowing positive efficiency from opposing passing offenses.
It’s an interesting conversation with Maye, because some of the things he was doing last season did seem unsustainable, from his incredibly efficient deep passing to the quality of competition.
#### @Schumann\_max1: What does the OL look like going forward? Any chance we see Lomu somewhere in the lineup? Not ideal to have OTs play guard (regardless of who would move there) but experience can be beneficial #MailDoug
I personally don’t hate the idea of moving Caleb Lomu to right guard since it appears this will be a lengthy injury for Mike Onwenu. You would hope that your 2026 first-round pick is one of your best five offensive linemen. You worry a little bit about a move inside stunting his growth at offensive tackle, but it feels like that would be offset by actual NFL game experience.
Based on how the Patriots handled things Sunday, I would expect Greg Van Roten to get the first shot. I think the Patriots need to be willing to give him a quick hook, however, because there are other worthy options on the roster.
Ben Brown filled in admirably for Jared Wilson at left guard last season. The Patriots traded for Walter Rouse, who moved inside to guard this summer with the Vikings. And two players on the practice squad, Jake Kubas and Xavier Newman-Johnson, both have NFL starting experience.
The depth is too good to keep a player in that role if he continues to struggle.
#### @SuzukiSaperstei: Why is Kyle Williams unable to get on the field?
I’ve asked Mike Vrabel about Kyle Williams twice in the last couple months. Here were his answers:
After Week 1:
“We want to get Kyle involved. I’ve tried to talk about that and … but yeah, I’m hopeful that Kyle can find a role for us and find a way to help us, using his speed and catch and run opportunities like we saw last year at times or some shot-type plays.”
Early August:
“I really, really know that Kyle is going to help us. His speed is going to help us. And I don’t want to use this and get this to be overblown, and I’m going to use the word scheme or – he’s got a skill set, right? We’re going to find ways to get him the ball, and it may be outside of just the normal installation plays, but that’s my responsibility, that’s Josh (McDaniels)’s responsibility, that’s Todd (Downings)’s, responsibility is to put him in those positions where we see the speed that showed up last year. And so, I know that he is going to be a large part of what we’re going to do, and those opportunities will continue to come. His release skills, his speed, his vertical speed, those are all things that we have to continue to take advantage of as we progress.”
To me, it sounds like the Patriots want to use Williams in specific roles. Does that mean they don’t trust him to play as a more traditional wide receiver? I’m not sure, but that’s what they’ve shown so far.
My opinion: I think it takes a very special player who thrives as an outside wide receiver with Williams’ stature, especially as cornerbacks are getting bigger and faster.
#### @jonothorpejazz: Any thoughts on why McDaniels has been calling a mostly conservative game plan after 2 weeks? Those 2nd & 3rd and shorts could really hit with some hard play action to help unlock Maye a bit more.
I think the quality of competition plays a big factor.
The Patriots were able to beat the Steelers with a conservative game plan and didn’t allow T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, Alex Highsmith and Nate Herbig beat them.
They were on the way to a win before Maye threw three interceptions in the fourth quarter against the Seahawks.
You don’t get extra credit for style points.
We’d all like to see a more exciting Patriots offense and more efficient play from Maye, but as Vrabel said on Sunday afternoon, “Just trying to win the game. You’re not gonna ruin my Sunday.”
#### @DavidNorrish: Milton Williams’ name hasn’t been said much on the broadcasts. How do you assess his play through 2 games?
I think that’s a fair observation. Williams was more productive in Week 1 with multiple pressures, but overall, players like Dre’Mont Jones, Elijah Ponder, Christian Barmore and Gabe Jacas have been making some of the more impactful plays.
I don’t think he’s been a detriment so far, though, and he has been asked to move around the defensive front, especially in Week 2 when Jones got hurt.