#drake-maye

#drake-maye

The jitteriness and high throws were gone. He got his share of layups early and used his running ability to compliment his solid decision-making on throws. He scooted away from ex-Patriot Matthew Judon for a touchdown run. He hit Kayshon Boutte for a 16-yard touchdown pass, and also got Mack Hollins involved for his first Patriots touchdown. Maye spread the ball around efficiently and effectively, finishing the game 19-of-23 for 230 passing yards, all without a turnover.

Game-changing wide receivers have evaded being signed by the Patriots for as long as most can remember, and it was clear that pattern needed to end going into the 2025 season. Mike Vrabel was very aware of that, and that explains why they chose to sign Stefon Diggs in free agency. His addition to the offensive roster had many fans excited, as Drake Maye would finally have the caliber of weapon that could immediately elevate their performance on day one.

Hope has been renewed in Foxborough, with the arrival of Mike Vrabel as head coach and plenty of roster turnover raising expectations for a team that has posted back-to-back four-win seasons. But as the Patriots open regular-season action on Sunday afternoon against the Raiders, there are still plenty of question marks surrounding a team looking to re-establish itself as a playoff contender.

The supporting cast - or lack thereof - surrounding Drake Maye during his rookie campaign with the Patriots was arguably the worst in the NFL. The Patriots had a matador-like offensive line that gave Maye no support, and New England's group of receivers instilled no fear in opposing defensive coordinators. That appears to be changing this year, with the cast of characters surrounding Maye already making him one of the league's biggest winners as teams concluded roster cutdowns this week.