Forget the quarterback. That is the shocking truth coming out of Foxborough right now. While fans scream for a change at the most important position on the field, Patriots Insider Phil Perry says the blame belongs elsewhere. Perry told Yahoo Sports that the third year signal-caller is actually the safest part of the offense.
“For the Patriots’ offense, big picture, I feel like Drake Maye honestly is at the bottom,” Perry said. He didn’t hold back when pointing fingers. Focusing on the line while watching the receivers, I would mention those guys need to get on their details.
The numbers back up this bold take. The team has scored just 30 points in two games. They have turned the ball over five times already. Yet the coordinator says the issue isn’t the guy throwing the football. It is the eleven men who must execute together.
Money Spent on Struggles
New England paid a fortune to fix these exact problems this summer. They signed guard Alijah Vera-Tucker for a massive three-year deal worth $42 million. The hope was to shore up the pocket. Instead, the veteran has allowed five pressures in just two games. Pro Football Focus gave him a 63.1 grade, which ranks 33nd in the league. That is not the performance of a star player.
The same story plays out at receiver. Romeo Doubs signed a four-year, $68 million contract to be the number two target. He dropped a key pass against Seattle. He caught nothing in Week 1. He showed life with a 63-yard catch in the home opener, but inconsistency remains a huge issue. Both players cost the team a lot of cash, yet they have not delivered the results expected.
The Coach Sees a Pattern
Josh McDaniels is not panicking. He has seen this movie before. He remembers 2014, 2018, and 2021 when the team started slow and finished strong. He knows that rushing a fix can cause a crash.
We could spend all day discussing ’14, ’18, ’21, ’25 right here. Every one of those years in my career, McDaniels said. Growth and improvement define the first month of the season. Progress is a big word. Jerking the wheel to turn the car into the wall will cause a problem.
The coordinator insists that success requires all eleven players to play well. “For us offensively, it’s always about the group. It’s always about the group. It’s always about the group,” he told reporters. He believes Maye made good plays but needs better help around him.
Even Rob Gronkowski sees the mental side of the struggle. The legend told FanSided that Maye is “thinking a little bit too much” and forcing throws. But Gronk also noted the mechanical issues are gone. The fix lies in the run game and protection, not a change of quarterback.
New England faced Jacksonville on Sunday and lost 35-6. The Jaguars use a heavy zone coverage scheme and blitz often. If the line and receivers cannot get their act together, the young quarterback will face an impossible task. But Perry’s point stands.
