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NFL (American Football)

Drake Maye’s Costly Preseason Fumble Draws Criticism From Patriots Coach Mike Vrabel

In Friday night’s preseason opener against the Washington Commanders, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye found himself under heavy pressure. Instead of taking the sack or throwing the ball away, he attempted to force a throw while being tackled. The risky move backfired, resulting in a fumble that drew criticism and sparked conversation after the game.

Vrabel’s Lighthearted Press Conference Masks Serious Concerns Over Maye’s Risky Decision-Making

The turnover quickly became a focal point during head coach Mike Vrabel’s post-game press conference. When a reporter framed a question suggesting that the play probably annoyed him, Vrabel playfully called out the reporter for “asking and answering” in one breath. The exchange drew some chuckles, but the coach’s real message was more serious.

Drake Maye’s Costly Preseason Fumble Draws Criticism From Patriots Coach Mike Vrabel
Drake Maye’s Costly Preseason Fumble Draws Criticism From Patriots Coach Mike Vrabel

Vrabel didn’t mince words, labeling the play “a bad decision” and stressing that the team needs “better from him.” He explained that Maye must learn to manage risky situations either by discarding the ball or taking the sack, to avoid turnovers. According to Vrabel, it’s better to punt and rely on the defense than to hand the opponent an easy scoring chance.

Defense Avoids Immediate Damage, But Risky Play Highlights Patriots’ Long-Term Offensive Concerns

On this occasion, the Patriots’ defense prevented the turnover from leading to points. The Commanders attempted a 49-yard field goal following the fumble, but kicker Matt Gay sent it wide left. While the misfire kept the scoreboard unchanged, it was a lucky break rather than a defensive strategy.

While harmless in a preseason setting, mistakes like Maye’s could prove devastating when the games count. The Patriots have been searching for a return to form since the end of the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era in 2019. Vrabel’s comments hinted that if Maye continues to make similar decisions under pressure, the team’s chances of improving their recent record will remain slim.

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NFL (American Football)

Drake Maye Marries Longtime Love Ann Michael Hudson in Heartfelt Ceremony Celebrated by Patriots

When quarterback Drake Maye arrived in New England after being selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, he stood alongside his three brothers and longtime girlfriend, Ann Michael Hudson, during a public event.

In his remarks, Maye highlighted the importance of his strong support system, stating, “If you’re getting me, you’re getting them.” The moment reflected Maye’s deep commitment to family and loyalty—principles that have remained central to his identity since joining the NFL.

On Saturday, those values were on full display as Maye and Hudson, who began dating in 2015, were married in North Carolina. The New England Patriots acknowledged the wedding on their official X (formerly Twitter) account, recognizing the special milestone in the young quarterback’s life. The celebration marked a significant personal achievement for Maye, who proposed to Hudson in January.

Drake Maye Marries Longtime Love Ann Michael Hudson in Heartfelt Ceremony Celebrated by Patriots
Drake Maye Marries Longtime Love Ann Michael Hudson in Heartfelt Ceremony Celebrated by Patriots

A Joyful Celebration Shared with Loved Ones and Supported by the Patriots Community

Maye also shared his excitement about the wedding on Instagram, writing, “What a night! Cheers to forever. I love you!” Hudson responded enthusiastically in the comments, calling it the “Best day ever!!!!” and echoing her love for him. Their public exchange reflected the strong bond and affection they’ve shared throughout their long relationship.

Among those in attendance were veteran Patriots tight end Hunter Henry and his wife, Parker, showing the support of Maye’s NFL community. Additionally, the team’s newest first-round pick, offensive lineman Will Campbell, congratulated Maye on social media.

The event not only marked the beginning of a new chapter in Maye’s personal life but also illustrated the growing camaraderie and support among members of the Patriots organization.

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NFL (American Football)

Drake Maye Gains Confidence and Command as Patriots Minicamp Wraps Up

During a pivotal red zone drill at the Patriots’ mandatory minicamp, quarterback Drake Maye connected with rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson on a touchdown pass that sparked enthusiasm from the offense.

This moment symbolized the progress Maye has been making as he adjusts to coordinator Josh McDaniels’ offensive system. Following the play, Maye expressed a sense of momentum building for himself and the team, noting that he’s beginning to “find a stride” just as spring practices are wrapping up.

Maye Balances Wedding Plans With Sharpened Focus On Training Camp And Development

With one final practice remaining before an extended offseason break, Maye is also looking forward to a personal milestone — his upcoming wedding to longtime girlfriend Ann Michael Hudson on June 21. Despite the pause in team activities, Maye remains focused on preparing for training camp, which begins in mid-to-late July.

As he enters his second NFL season, his development is closely watched, particularly by new head coach Mike Vrabel, who cited Maye’s potential as one of the reasons he took the job.

Drake Maye Gains Confidence and Command as Patriots Minicamp Wraps Up
Drake Maye Gains Confidence and Command as Patriots Minicamp Wraps Up

Maye’s growth since the voluntary OTAs in April has been notable. Early sessions were rough, including a four-interception practice, but he has since sharpened his play, showing improved ball security and decision-making.

He emphasized the importance of avoiding turnovers and adopting a mindset of taking what’s readily available instead of always searching for big plays. These are habits he’s actively cultivating under McDaniels’ guidance, who has tailored the offense to suit Maye’s strengths.

Maye Embracing Leadership Role as Vrabel Pushes Growth Through Command and Accountability

Coach Vrabel has also focused on developing Maye’s leadership skills. On “The Bill O’Brien Podcast,” Vrabel highlighted the mental and emotional demands of the quarterback role and the need for Maye to grow into a leadership position.

One concrete example came during Monday’s practice, where Vrabel placed Maye at the center of a team sprint drill, requiring him to command the cadence and timing. Maye’s voice and authority in that drill reflected his increased confidence and command on the field.

Maye himself sees this season as a critical opportunity to transition from a learning phase into a leadership role. He acknowledged the importance of continuing to prove himself through hard work while building relationships with new teammates and staff.

As training camp approaches, Maye is intent on elevating his influence within the team, aiming not only to lead the offense effectively but also to become a foundational leader for the entire organization.

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NFL (American Football)

Drake Maye Leads Patriots’ Offensive Progress as Rookies and Veterans Impress at OTAs

The New England Patriots offense is beginning to find its footing during organized team activities (OTAs), with Monday’s media-attended session highlighting growing chemistry. Quarterback Drake Maye stood out, displaying improved command of the offense during full-team drills.

He connected with wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, undrafted rookie Efton Chism, and running back Rhamondre Stevenson on a beautifully executed wheel route, signaling real progress from earlier practices marked by growing pains.

Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels spoke ahead of practice, emphasizing the collective effort from a coaching staff drawn from various systems. Coaches like Thomas Brown (West Coast offense), Ashton Grant (Cleveland), Todd Downing, and Tony Dews (Tennessee) bring varied perspectives, all blending under Mike Vrabel’s leadership. McDaniels admitted he’s also learning from his colleagues, as the group installs unfamiliar but effective concepts into the Patriots playbook.

Drake Maye’s Growth Impresses Coaches as Patriots Rookies Make Early Strong Impressions

McDaniels praised Maye’s rapid learning curve and intelligence, noting the second-year QB’s ability to absorb corrections and avoid repeated mistakes. According to McDaniels, Maye’s maturity and attention to detail are standing out, even as he learns a new system.

Drake Maye Leads Patriots’ Offensive Progress as Rookies and Veterans Impress at OTAs
Drake Maye Leads Patriots’ Offensive Progress as Rookies and Veterans Impress at OTAs

His sharp performance on Monday reinforced the coaching staff’s belief in his upward trajectory, with McDaniels emphasizing Maye’s self-imposed high expectations and growing command at quarterback.

The Patriots’ top rookies are making early strides under the guidance of their position coaches. First-round pick Will Campbell is developing at left tackle despite the limitations of non-padded practices. Doug Marrone noted Campbell’s consistent effort and focus on fundamentals.

Meanwhile, second-round RB TreVeyon Henderson has impressed with his versatility and burst, drawing praise for his football IQ and willingness to contribute in multiple roles.

Rookies Shine as Veterans Return and Competition Intensifies Across Patriots Offensive Positions

Third-round WR Kyle Williams has shown flashes of his talent, highlighted by a deep over-the-shoulder grab in last week’s practice. Wide receivers coach Todd Downing acknowledged Williams’s natural progression and quick learning, even as the rookie continues to iron out first-year mistakes.

Among undrafted players, Efton Chism is also turning heads, particularly with his precise route running and ability to find space over the middle, adding competition and depth to the receiver room.

Monday’s practice also featured notable participation and storylines. Star WR Stefon Diggs attended and took part in drills for the first time in a session open to media. RB Rhamondre Stevenson, returning to action while mourning his father, made the catch of the day on a perfectly placed throw by Maye.

Along the offensive line, the Patriots are rotating players at left guard, with both Cole Strange and Wes Schweitzer getting reps. Marrone expressed satisfaction with the ongoing competition and player development at the position.

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NFL (American Football)

Patriots 2025 Roster Reset: Drake Maye Shows Promise as the Franchise Quarterback in Foxborough

No matter where the blame for the lack of offensive ability falls, the poor performance at that position is the main reason the greatest coach in NFL history is currently out of work.

A couple of months after writing that, the Patriots – as expected – signed Jacoby Brissett as a veteran replacement. A month later, they selected Drake Maye with the third overall pick. Then they added Joe Milton in the sixth round.

When you pick the right year to really struggle in the NFL, you get a chance to find the rarest of players: a true franchise quarterback.

Not a substitute franchise guy. Not a “he can be good if we build around him…” quarterback like Tua or Brock Purdy or Mac Jones. We’re talking about a player who can carry the team on his own. A player who improves his teammates with his presence.

The Patriots picked the right year. And they picked the right player in Maye for a tough situation. Some have said that even a potted plant couldn’t have messed up that third pick. Maye was the obvious choice. I thought otherwise.

I suggested trading down, adding picks, and gathering more talent. I don’t think I was wrong, necessarily. The Patriots still have one of the weakest rosters in the league, and Maye will struggle if they don’t give him some help.

However, I will say that the possibility of having a superstar changes the feel of an otherwise poor team and brings an energy to the locker room that a solid QB prospect or a good offensive lineman probably wouldn’t.

Back to last year’s article and what the Patriots needed…

The right mix of arm strength, mobility, composure, and mental toughness is necessary. Can whoever they bring in – veteran placeholder or first-round pick – handle the pressure, criticism, and physical punishment that will come with playing in New England?

Nailed it. Apparently.

Drake Maye passes off to Rhamondre Stevenson in the 1st half

Bright spots and what can help in the long term

Let’s focus on Maye. These are things to be happy about: Significant improvement during the offseason. Smart decision-making while running the offense. Strong arm and accuracy on long passes. Quick decision-making – if he was running, he ran; if he was throwing, he threw it.

Mental toughness in a tough season. Physical toughness shown after taking hits and a willingness to stay in the game or fight for extra yards. Leadership on the field and in media appearances. The impression that he wants to take charge of being a Patriot. He’s not looking to leave.

Milton also showed great improvement during the season. His performance against the Bills in the final game, even though Buffalo sat many of its best players, was much better than the Milton we saw in camp. He wasn’t bad then, just a little raw and prone to making mistakes and being inaccurate. Going 22-for-29 for 241 yards and a touchdown shows he has talent.

Jacoby Brissett, who is likely to leave after being benched for Maye, showed real toughness and played well in a tough situation.

Drake Maye runs into the end zone for a touchdown in the 1st half

The disappointments and aimless runs

Maye was playing behind the worst offensive line in the league. And, while it’s hard to measure, Maye’s wide receivers seemed to run aimlessly after the snap. Still, Maye threw too many interceptions. He had 10 in 13 starts.

He ranked third in the league for interception rate behind Kirk Cousins and Gardner Minshew. He will need to improve that, and with Josh McDaniels as the offensive coordinator and an improved offensive line (it can’t be worse…right?), that should happen.

They were better as a group in 2024. It’s a low bar, yes, but they threw for 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions after a 16-touchdown, 21-interception 2023 season.

Maye had 53 “bad throws” according to Pro Football Reference (16.4 percent). In comparison, Mac Jones had 54 in 2023 (15.4 percent) and Bailey Zappe had 41 (20.2 percent).

Maye’s running ability is a real asset, gaining 421 yards on 54 carries (7.8 yards per carry), but he needs to make better decisions about when to stop running and avoid taking unnecessary hits.

Contract details
Maye is still on his rookie deal, so his base salary is relatively low. It’s $960,000 this year. His salary cap hit is $8.327 million, meaning he’s only taking up 2.7 percent of the projected cap. Milton, drafted 190 spots after Maye, will also have a base salary of $960,000, but his cap hit is just $1.05 million.

The Patriots are 27th in the league for QB spending ($9.3 million in 2025 cap space) and will stay low in that ranking for a while. In contrast, the Cowboys will allocate $90 million to the quarterback position.

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NFL (American Football)

New England Patriots Weighing Joe Milton Trade Possibilities

The New England Patriots are looking to turn the page after a rough 4-13 season, but there was one encouraging takeaway from 2024.

A promising quarterback emerged in Drake Maye, who earned a Pro Bowl alternate selection after completing 66.6% of his passes for 2,276 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Interestingly, New England may have secured two potential quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Patriots find hope in rookie quarterback Drake Maye after a tough season (New England Patriots)

A Late-Round Pick Drawing Interest

With the No. 193 pick, the Patriots selected former Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III, an intriguing choice due to his physical attributes and his exceptionally strong right arm.

Milton saw limited action as a rookie, appearing in just one game, but that performance may have been enough to spark trade interest.

Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal has reported that there is growing belief around the league that New England could be considering trading Milton this offseason.

While he is not currently on the trade block, Bedard notes that once the new coaching staff settles in, the idea could gain traction. If the Patriots decide to move him, some league executives believe they could receive as much as a third-round pick in return.

Milton’s Late-Season Performance

Milton’s preseason included a few eye-catching moments, one of which involved breaking two tackles and scrambling for 13 yards. However, it was in the Patriots’ regular-season finale against the Buffalo Bills that he had his most extended opportunity, grabbing the attention of many around the NFL.

In that game, Milton completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 16 yards and another score, leading the Patriots to a 23-16 win. That victory, however, ended up costing New England the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Milton’s powerful arm was on full display throughout the contest, including a remarkable touchdown throw that was finally wiped out due to a penalty.

The Upside and Concerns Surrounding Milton

There is no question that Milton possesses the ideal size, athletic ability, and arm strength for a quarterback, but his development as a passer remains a work in progress.

Accuracy was a concern throughout his time in Knoxville, and his inconsistency raised doubts about his ability to lead an offense at the next level. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein even characterized his deep-ball placement and timing as “disturbing” when evaluating him as a draft prospect.

Despite those concerns, the potential is evident, and if the Patriots decide to make him available for trade, teams would likely show interest.