Drake Maye
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Drake Maye and the New England Patriots have a problem.
There’s a problem brewing between the New England Patriots and Drake Maye. Namely, how the rebuilding team is going to protect its would-be franchise quarterback.
Early indications are Maye is in for a gruelling time this season. At least based on how many potential sacks he’s taken at training camp and hits he’s been subjected to in preseason.
Maye endured a tough final practice on Tuesday, August 19, when NBCS Boston’s Phil Perry noted how “On his first 18 dropbacks of 11-on-11, before the late 1:30 drill, I charted Maye being ‘sacked’ seven times. Lots of pressure from defensive coordinator Terrell Williams. Jabrill Peppers had two sacks on blitzes, Carlton Davis had one. Christian Barmore was a force. Two sacks.”
On his first 18 dropbacks of 11-on-11, before the late 1:30 drill, I charted Maye being “sacked” seven times.
Lots of pressure from defensive coordinator Terrell Williams. Jabrill Peppers had two sacks on blitzes, Carlton Davis had one.
Christian Barmore was a force. Two sacks. https://t.co/2HB7UHoG01
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) August 19, 2025
This isn’t the first time Maye has been under siege this offseason. Former Patriots defensive coordinator Brian Flores exposed weaknesses during joint practices with the Minnesota Vikings.
What’s most worrying is how pressure already looks like it’s negatively impacting Maye’s performance levels.
Protection Issues Proving Tough to Fix for Patriots
It’s not as if the Patriots haven’t tried to fortify the protection in front of Maye. They acquired right tackle Morgan Moses and center Garrett Bradbury in free agency, before selecting left tackle Will Campbell with the fourth pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
Campbell is ticketed for the crucial role as Maye’s blindside protector, but the former LSU stud has been a major worry in pass-rush matchups this offseason. The concern is compounded by Campbell partnering a fellow rookie, third-round pick guard Jared Wilson on the left side.
This youthful duo could become a favorite target of defenses looking to rattle Maye with line stunts and the blitz. Unfortunately, opponents are already finding joy getting to New England’s QB1.
It happened in the first exhibition game against the Washington Commanders, when Maye fumbled after being felled by defensive tackle Jer’Zhan ‘Johnny’ Newton. The latter ran a twist with edge-rusher Jacob Martin, and as AmpireMedia’s Mason Kinnahan pointed out, Campbell was guilty of overcommitting.
Johnny Newton and Jacob Martin ran this stunt perfectly and end up forcing a turnover because of it.
Great pick by Martin and Will Campbell overcommits freeing up Newton to get into Maye's face #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/GBEBM5G52F
— Mason Kinnahan (@Mason_Kinnahan) August 9, 2025
This play showed the critical area of the Pats’ O-line is still a work in progress and a potential liability. Those problems persisted across the line against Flores’ Vikings defense ahead of Week 2, before Maye struggled during the game at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Drake Maye Showing Signs of Pressure
Maye “didn’t have his best stuff” during the 20-12 win in Minnesota, according to Chad Graff of The Athletic. Graff pointed out Maye “missed high on a pair of throws, one of which landed right in the hands of a Vikings defender (though it was dropped), and at one point he didn’t get the offense in position quickly enough, resulting in a delay-of-game penalty. Maye finished 4-of-7 for 46 yards against the Vikings’ second- and third-string defenders.”
Things were rougher still when Maye returned to the practice field. His setbacks were itemised by Taylor Kyles of Patriots on CLNS, who noted several “wide” and “uncatchable” throws.
#Patriots training camp 18 notes:
DRAKE MAYE11v11– Stevenson run inside– Boutte CMP out (behind)– Boutte INC slant (wide uncatchable)– Diggs CMP shallow– Boutte INC fade, Austin PBU (inside)
– Henderson OZ left– Hooper CMP PA flat– Henry INC out (wide uncatchable)
-…
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) August 19, 2025
Regularly having defenders in his face did nothing to help Maye’s accuracy. The ongoing issue is becoming a major concern for a gifted, but raw, young passer learning a new and complex system under returning offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Although the latter can ease the pressure on Maye somewhat with a schematically adjusted running game, McDaniels needs his quarterback to have enough time to make the throws to bring the system’s best concepts to life.