Drake Maye Is Back: How Patriots QB Rediscovered All-Pro Form After Rough Start

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If Drake Maye was experiencing third-year slump, it may have only lasted a few games.

For a moment, it appeared the Patriots would potentially have significant questions to answer surrounding their franchise quarterback in 2026, just months after he led the team to a Super Bowl appearance.

Maye struggled with turnovers and missed a number of throws in Weeks 1-3, including two losses. Since then, however, he's been terrific, leading New England back over .500 with some of the best performances of his career.

Here's a look at Maye's remarkable turnaround from his early-season struggles.

MORE: Drake Maye And Caleb Williams Meet Again With One Remarkable Patriots Memory

How Drake Maye Rediscovered All-Pro Form

Over his first three games of 2026, Maye couldn't take care of the ball, which seemed to only put himself in his own way even more. Against the Seahawks, Steelers and Jaguars, he totaled six interceptions and a lost fumble.

His decision-making wasn't on par with his 2025 self, prompting head coach Mike Vrabel to say that Maye and the offense "need to settle in and go play football and not try to force things that aren't there."

With 36 points in three games, the Patriots totaled the third-fewest scoring output through three games by a reigning conference champion in the Super Bowl era. Their offense was one of the NFL's worst — and Maye was especially struggling when targeting wide receivers, throwing no touchdown passes with five picks when targeting a wideout through Weeks 1-3.

Since then, he's looked like a new quarterback, much more like the second-place MVP finisher in 2025.

It began with a comeback win against the Bills, which seems to have guided Maye's resurgence. He did throw a pick vs. Buffalo, but added three touchdown passes and 54 rushing yards — a significant part of Maye's improvement has been his willingness to scramble again, taking what defenses give him. When he's running, he can be one of the more elusive quarterbacks in the NFL.

Maye has totaled 103 rushing yards over his last three games, helping open things up for the Patriots' offense.

His decision-making has also improved, not turning the ball over once against the Raiders or Jets. 

Another clear area where Maye has come alive is with his deep ball. Over the first few weeks of the season, he was often over- or under-throwing his receivers down the field — but against the Bills, Raiders and Jets, Maye had at least one touchdown pass of at least 20 yards.

Against Buffalo, it was the game-winning strike to Efton Chism for 23 yards.

In a dominant win over Las Vegas, Maye hit DeMario Douglas for a 35-yard touchdown and Kyle Williams for another 34-yard score.

And most recently against the Jets, Maye found Romeo Doubs in the end zone early from 42 yards out.

Through Week 6, Maye now leads the NFL in deep pass yards, per NFL Researcher:

Considering his top receiver, A.J. Brown, struggled with drops in Week 6, there's reason to believe Maye will only get better in the weeks to come.

Drake Maye 2026 stats

Here were Maye's total numbers through three games:

  • Passing Yards: 585
  • Completion Percentage: 62.5%
  • Passing TDs: 1
  • INTs: 6
  • Rushing Yards: 82
  • Rushing TDs: 0

And his numbers in the three games since:

  • Passing Yards: 878
  • Completion Percentage: 64.1%
  • Passing TDs: 10
  • INTs: 1
  • Rushing Yards: 103
  • Rushing TDs: 1

Maye has bounced back to total 1,463 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions with 185 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown so far this season.

His PFF grade has also slowly climbed this season, leading all quarterbacks in Weeks 5 and 6.

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