Are the Patriots asking Maye to compensate for too many other problems?

With a depleted offensive line, A.J. Brown's injury, and a limited running game, New England may be asking too much of their third-year quarterback.

by Kevin Stephan

Sep 30, 2026

Drake Maye vs Jaguars

Corey Perrine/Florida Times‑Union

Drake Maye‘s struggles this season are well documented, but the New England Patriots may be asking too much of its third-year quarterback. The Patriots offense has dealt with injuries to key players, including their best receiver, A.J. Brown, and its starting right guard, Mike Onwenu. In addition, New England’s running backs have struggled through three games.

Maye’s situation is not ideal. With a depleted and underperforming offense, it tests New England’s offensive depth and makes it difficult to succeed, even for last season’s MVP runner-up.

Last season, New England went 14-3 thanks in large part to its injury luck. Maye was able to build a rapport with his pass catchers and elevate the offense as a whole, as evidenced by having the NFL’s second-highest scoring offense.

Nov 2, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins (13), wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (9), wide receiver DeMario Douglas (3), offensive tackle Morgan Moses (76), and tight end Hunter Henry (85) come together to celebrate wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) touchdown during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Eric Canha-Imagn Images

This season, the Patriots have been bitten by the injury bug, having already put 16 players on IR. It also doesn’t help that Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte, two of his prominent pass catchers, are no longer on the team. As a result, Maye has not had the same level of continuity.

Lack of a Ground Game

Aside from injuries and a receiver overhaul, New England’s lack of a consistent running game has forced more on Drake Maye’s shoulders.

Without a consistent running game to stay ahead of the chains, Maye is forced into more obvious passing situations. This gives opposing defenses the freedom to pin their ears back and rush the quarterback.

After his dominant year last season, it can be easy to forget that Maye is still only 24 years old. He is just starting his third year in the NFL and will be prone to early-career mistakes. One of these is his tendency to want to make hero plays and force shots down the field as opposed to taking the easy checkdowns or rhythmic throws.

Drake Maye has had a roller coaster of a start to his NFL career, but deserves some slack. Yes, he is having a terrible start to his third season, but he is also dealing with a reworked receiver room without its top receiver, an injured offensive line, and a run game that struggles to consistently pick up yards on the ground.