Patriots offseason: 5 enormous questions facing Jerod Mayo and company
3 months, 1 week ago

Patriots offseason: 5 enormous questions facing Jerod Mayo and company

New York Times  

The New England Patriots head back to Gillette Stadium on Wednesday to begin game-planning for this weekend’s trip to Arizona. We’ll write more soon on the players who still have a lot to play for in the final four games, but the performances of Caedan Wallace and Cole Strange will go a long way toward dictating just how dire the situation is on the Patriots offensive line. Many words will be written in the next four months about the Patriots’ need to improve at wide receiver and on the offensive line — and for good reason. This may not be as important as signing the right free agents or drafting the right prospects, but I’m curious what the message from Mayo and Eliot Wolf, New England’s executive vice president of player personnel, will end up being if this season ends poorly and the team finishes with only three or four wins. In an interview during the team’s bye week with NBC Sports Boston, Mayo noted that players often make their biggest leap from Year 1 to Year 2, then added, “I’m sure — 100 percent — that I will be a better coach in Year 2 than I am in Year 1.” How he and Wolf respond to a disappointing season matters, even if it’s not as important as fixing the roster.

Season Patriots Mayo New England Need Free Wolf Receiver Free Agency Offseason Wide Receiver Wide Jerod Mayo Drake Maye Cole Strange  wolf  mayo  need  facing  enormous  offseason  final  questions  jerod  wide  games  season  free  teams  company  patriots  receiver

History of this topic

Patriots to start QB Drake Maye in Week 18 vs. Buffalo, OC Alex Van Pelt says
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Patriots to start QB Drake Maye in Week 18 vs. Buffalo, OC Alex Van Pelt says

New York Times  

The New England Patriots will start quarterback Drake Maye in Week 18 against the Buffalo Bills, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said in a Thursday news conference. Beating the Bills on Sunday could reshape the top five selections with the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and New York Giants potentially moving into the top slot depending on how this weekend’s games …

Why the Patriots should rest Drake Maye even though it sounds like they won’t
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Why the Patriots should rest Drake Maye even though it sounds like they won’t

New York Times  

— The New England Patriots are in a conflicted place as the season finale nears on Sunday. “If he’s healthy and ready to go as we go through this week of practice, then he’ll play,” Mayo said, adding in the same news conference that “Drake’s healthy.” Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt confirmed that plan on Thursday, saying, “He’ll be starting …

Patriots’ coaches enter bye week confident Drake Maye can be a franchise quarterback
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Patriots’ coaches enter bye week confident Drake Maye can be a franchise quarterback

Associated Press  

— Drake Maye’s arrival in New England coincided with a wholesale reset for the Patriots franchise following the departure of coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Mac Jones this past offseason. “I’m just trying to take it one day at a time, one game at a time,” Maye said this week. “Hopefully, the work that we’re putting in and the product …

Patriots need more than just Drake Maye to take step forward for season to be a success
4 months ago

Patriots need more than just Drake Maye to take step forward for season to be a success

New York Times  

The latest game for the New England Patriots went like so many other recent ones have. So with six games left this season, let’s try to pin down what exactly a good first year of this rebuild would look like for Mayo and de facto general manager Eliot Wolf’s team. pic.twitter.com/yVsGZpJGeP — Chad Graff November 18, 2024 For this season …

Patriots predictions at NFL midseason: Drake Maye improves but the No. 1 pick is in play
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Patriots predictions at NFL midseason: Drake Maye improves but the No. 1 pick is in play

New York Times  

— The NFL trade deadline has passed, and the New England Patriots remained pretty quiet, because teams weren’t overly interested in what they were selling and because coach Jerod Mayo wants to build a culture with this roster while ideally winning some games down the stretch. Our NFL midseason All-Rookie team “He just wants to help the team win.” Jerod …

In loss to Titans, struggling Patriots offense comes down to hoping Drake Maye can make a play
4 months, 2 weeks ago

In loss to Titans, struggling Patriots offense comes down to hoping Drake Maye can make a play

New York Times  

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Drake Maye unbuckled his chinstrap and stared off into the distance as the Tennessee Titans flooded the field to celebrate their 20-17 overtime win over the New England Patriots on Sunday. GO DEEPER Titans end 3-game losing skid in 20-17 OT win vs. Patriots: Takeaways If you’re only interested in hearing the positive, focus on that. Maye’s …

Regrading the Patriots’ 2024 NFL Draft class: A+ for Drake Maye, but poor marks elsewhere
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Regrading the Patriots’ 2024 NFL Draft class: A+ for Drake Maye, but poor marks elsewhere

New York Times  

For the New England Patriots, this season was never going to be about their win total or certain players’ stats. 3: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina April grade: A+ Updated grade: A+ It would be fair to argue that the front office doesn’t deserve much credit for simply picking the last of the top three quarterbacks available to them with …

Drake Maye limited in practice after injury forced him out of his team's weekend win
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Drake Maye limited in practice after injury forced him out of his team's weekend win

Daily Mail  

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is limited in practice on Wednesday after suffering a concussion over the weekend vs. the Jets. However, the rookie seemingly has a chance to return to the field this weekend, as Patriots coach Jerod Mayo told reporters that Maye will throw 'at times' during Wednesday's practice despite his head injury. Drake Maye was ruled out of …

The Patriots have a wide receiver problem with no obvious fix
4 months, 3 weeks ago

The Patriots have a wide receiver problem with no obvious fix

New York Times  

— Initially, there wasn’t anyone open, so Drake Maye drifted to his right, then escaped the pocket altogether. GO DEEPER Buckley: No longer 'soft,' Patriots show pluck in bouncing back to top Jets Against the Jets, Patriots wide receivers dropped five of their 16 targets. It’s good to get a win, but there’s a lot to improve on.” Sunday’s game …

Drake Maye providing Patriots a rare bright spot in a season of disappointments
5 months ago

Drake Maye providing Patriots a rare bright spot in a season of disappointments

New York Times  

LONDON — Drake Maye sat on the bench at his familiar spot on the New England Patriots sideline, stuck and unable to get back on the field as the team’s defense was slowly shredded. “Shoot,” Maye said afterward, “for a while in the second half, we had one drive the whole half.” GO DEEPER Jaguars beat Patriots 32-16 in London …

Drake Maye is stabilizing presence for Patriots in season of disarray and concerns
5 months ago

Drake Maye is stabilizing presence for Patriots in season of disarray and concerns

New York Times  

— In just one week — less than one week, actually — Drake Maye has been transformed from untested rookie to a man who has found his place with the New England Patriots. When Wise was asked what the Patriots are doing to correct mistakes as they prepare for Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, he supplied an …

Drake Maye impresses, but another Patriots blowout loss shows rebuild has a long way to go
5 months, 1 week ago

Drake Maye impresses, but another Patriots blowout loss shows rebuild has a long way to go

New York Times  

— After Drake Maye’s humbling but ultimately promising debut as a starting quarterback for the New England Patriots, C.J. But Sunday’s game, a 41-21 blowout win for the Texans, showed that even if Maye is as good as the Patriots hope he can be, even if he can match some of the highlights Stroud delivered in an astounding rookie season, …

Why the Patriots switched to Drake Maye at QB — despite their struggling offensive line
5 months, 1 week ago

Why the Patriots switched to Drake Maye at QB — despite their struggling offensive line

New York Times  

— The New England Patriots wanted to wait. They know what they have surrounding the quarterback on this roster isn’t great and that putting Drake Maye behind this offensive line could lead to long-term damage. “It’s hard to put a percentage on how much the offense will change,” Mayo said. They could’ve justified playing Maye against a bad Dolphins team …

Drake Maye gets nod to start at QB as Patriots try to snap four-game losing streak
5 months, 1 week ago

Drake Maye gets nod to start at QB as Patriots try to snap four-game losing streak

Associated Press  

— Jacoby Brissett won only one game as the New England Patriots’ starting quarterback. “It’s a winning league and we’re sitting here at 1-4,” Maye said when he subbed for Brissett in the weekly quarterback media availability. “It’s something you dream of, getting your first start in the NFL,” said Maye, who also said: “It’s an opportunity, against a good …

Patriots will go with first-round draft pick Drake Maye and bench QB Jacoby Brissett, AP source says
5 months, 1 week ago

Patriots will go with first-round draft pick Drake Maye and bench QB Jacoby Brissett, AP source says

Associated Press  

— The New England Patriots are planning to give first-round draft pick Drake Maye his first pro start in the hopes of ending a four-game losing streak under veteran journeyman quarterback Jacoby Brissett, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press. They have tried veterans like Cam Newton and draft picks like Mac Jones but have appeared …

Another poor passing day for the Patriots leads to more questions about when Drake Maye will start
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Another poor passing day for the Patriots leads to more questions about when Drake Maye will start

Associated Press  

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The passing game for the New England Patriots has yet to get off the ground this season behind veteran Jacoby Brissett. Brissett failed to reach 200 yards passing for a fourth straight game, threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown, lost a fumble and took six sacks in a 30-13 loss to the San …

It’s time for the Patriots to make a change at QB and start rookie Drake Maye
5 months, 3 weeks ago

It’s time for the Patriots to make a change at QB and start rookie Drake Maye

New York Times  

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — After his third fumble on another miserable day for the New England Patriots offense, quarterback Jacoby Brissett looked up toward the cloudless California sky and exhaled. GO DEEPER 49ers sack Jacoby Brissett six times in 30-13 win over Patriots: Takeaways So I’m not afraid to say it: It’s time for a change. It’s time for Drake …

Patriots' top draft pick Drake Maye makes NFL debut in blowout loss to Jets
6 months ago

Patriots' top draft pick Drake Maye makes NFL debut in blowout loss to Jets

Daily Mail  

There wasn't much to cheer about for Patriots fans during their team's 24-3 loss to the Jets on Thursday night, but they at least got a look at rookie quarterback Drake Maye. The rookie had some decent moments, as he completed 4-of-8 passes for 22 yards, but also took two sacks as the Jets defense put him under pressure. Drake …

Patriots are being patient with Drake Maye, and Sunday’s loss reminded us why
6 months ago

Patriots are being patient with Drake Maye, and Sunday’s loss reminded us why

New York Times  

— After the second time Jacoby Brissett was brutally thrown to the turf at Gillette Stadium, he took an extra second to get up. In Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks, when Brissett was thrown around behind porous pass protection, the Patriots and their fans were offered a reminder of why the team is being patient with rookie Drake Maye, …

Patriots’ pocket is not yet safe enough for Drake Maye to take over for Jacoby Brissett
6 months ago

Patriots’ pocket is not yet safe enough for Drake Maye to take over for Jacoby Brissett

Associated Press  

The New England Patriots showed in Week 2 why they are sticking with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback over first-round draft pick Drake Maye. Because even when he’s not getting hit, or any quarterback, if they’re back there and they feel people around him, it always is going to affect you a little bit.” Although the Patriots came into the season …

Young Patriots have been fun and worth watching, even without Drake Maye under center
6 months ago

Young Patriots have been fun and worth watching, even without Drake Maye under center

New York Times  

— Have fans of the New England Patriots lapsed into some kind of holding pattern, waiting for Drake Maye to emerge as the team’s starting quarterback? And don’t forget: The Patriots enlisted Malcolm Butler, the from-out-of-nowhere hero of New England’s 28-24 victory over the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX, as Sunday’s “Keeper of the Light,” which means ringing the bell …

Analysis: Patriots have no reason to rush rookie quarterback Drake Maye
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Analysis: Patriots have no reason to rush rookie quarterback Drake Maye

Associated Press  

On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week. The hard part is thinking in the short term and the long term at the same time.” Mayo and the front office believe starting the season from the sideline is best for Maye’s future. “The hardest position in sports is a quarterback, and especially for a rookie …

Will Drake Maye start in Patriots’ opener? Don’t be surprised if the future is now
7 months ago

Will Drake Maye start in Patriots’ opener? Don’t be surprised if the future is now

New York Times  

Remember that sunny Friday afternoon back in April when Drake Maye made his first post-NFL Draft appearance at Gillette Stadium? From that day on, it has been taken as a matter of faith that veteran Jacoby Brissett will be New England’s quarterback until Maye is … “ready.” Was that not the precise purpose of Brissett being reacquired by the Patriots …

Drake Maye or Jacoby Brissett? Patriots hope to pick starter by Monday night
7 months ago

Drake Maye or Jacoby Brissett? Patriots hope to pick starter by Monday night

New York Times  

— The Patriots hope to decide by Monday night who will be their starting quarterback, about 24 hours after their preseason finale in Washington, coach Jerod Mayo said. At the outset of training camp, Mayo and Patriots coaches made it clear that Jacoby Brissett was the team’s starter. After being at every practice this camp, the guess is that it’s …

Should rookie Drake Maye be the Patriots’ starting quarterback?
7 months ago

Should rookie Drake Maye be the Patriots’ starting quarterback?

New York Times  

— Midway through the third quarter of the New England Patriots’ second preseason game last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, rookie quarterback Drake Maye offered exactly what the team had been seeking. GO DEEPER Patriots stock report: Risers and fallers on a night Drake Maye excelled The Patriots’ long-held plan has been to take it slow with Maye. But today, …

Drake Maye has at times looked like the quarterback answer the Patriots have been seeking
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Drake Maye has at times looked like the quarterback answer the Patriots have been seeking

Associated Press  

— At times, Drake Maye looked like the answer to the quarterback conundrum the New England Patriots have been seeking since Tom Brady’s departure in 2020. Drafted third overall in this year’s NFL Draft, Maye made the play of the day during Friday’s training camp practice when he connected with fellow rookie Ja’Lynn Polk, who leaped over two defenders to …

Drake Maye’s future may be bright, but Patriots offense still has a long way to go
9 months, 1 week ago

Drake Maye’s future may be bright, but Patriots offense still has a long way to go

New York Times  

— Two things can be true at once with the New England Patriots’ offense. A period later, Maye almost threw another pick when a defender crept underneath tight end Hunter Henry’s route. After misfiring on five of his first eight passes, Maye and the offense took over at the defense’s 10-yard line, and the rookie threw three consecutive touchdowns to …

Patriots training camp questions: Has New England’s wide receiver group improved?
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Patriots training camp questions: Has New England’s wide receiver group improved?

New York Times  

Editor’s note: This is the second piece in our five-part series looking at the biggest questions facing the New England Patriots before training camp. The Patriots’ new brass realized how much their wide receiver group needed improvement. pic.twitter.com/vkQ31zALmj — New England Patriots May 20, 2024 Instead, New England took Washington’s Ja’Lynn Polk in the second round and added Central Florida’s …

Patriots OTAs kick off: Drake Maye stays late, plus 10 things we learned
10 months ago

Patriots OTAs kick off: Drake Maye stays late, plus 10 things we learned

New York Times  

— Practice for the New England Patriots had long since wrapped up. It was a good 15 minutes after players completed their session-ending sprints, but rookie quarterback Drake Maye was still working on the far field with Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, the pair of wide receivers the team drafted last month. GO DEEPER A minute-by-minute look at Drake Maye’s …

Did the Patriots do enough to help Drake Maye on Day 2 of the NFL Draft?
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Did the Patriots do enough to help Drake Maye on Day 2 of the NFL Draft?

New York Times  

New England Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf said all the things you’d want to hear after the second day of the NFL Draft, the things every NFL decision-maker says. Draft pick grades: Our experts rate Rounds 2-3 Full draft order: Team picks for all 257 selections Second-round pick Ja’Lynn Polk might end up being just the kind of wide …

Patriots 2024 NFL Draft takeaways: Emphasizing offense to help QB Drake Maye
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Patriots 2024 NFL Draft takeaways: Emphasizing offense to help QB Drake Maye

New York Times  

The New England Patriots wrapped up their most anticipated NFL Draft in decades by continuing to focus on fixing the team’s offense. Neither Polk nor fourth-round pick Javon Baker has great speed, but they have large catch radii and can make plays on passes that aren’t thrown perfectly, something that could help a rookie quarterback. School 1 3 Drake Maye …

How the Patriots spurned trade offers and decided on QB Drake Maye at No. 3 in the draft
10 months, 3 weeks ago

How the Patriots spurned trade offers and decided on QB Drake Maye at No. 3 in the draft

New York Times  

— Eliot Wolf didn’t wait. “I know a lot of people are writing us off,” Mayo said, “but we’ll see when it comes to the fall.” Here’s a look at the three-month process that led the Patriots to Maye. GO DEEPER New England Patriots NFL Draft picks 2024: Grades, fits and scouting reports The Patriots’ decision-makers brought Maye into a …

Patriots draft Drake Maye: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Patriots draft Drake Maye: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel

New York Times  

After weeks of deliberation, the New England Patriots opted to hold onto the No. 3 pick in Thursday’s first round of the 2024 NFL Draft and select Drake Maye, the quarterback they hope helps usher in a new era in Foxboro. The Patriots are hoping Maye can bring stability to the quarterback position, something they haven’t witnessed since Tom Brady …

Only way for Patriots to salvage season is to finish in position to pick top QB in NFL Draft
1 year, 4 months ago

Only way for Patriots to salvage season is to finish in position to pick top QB in NFL Draft

New York Times  

The New England Patriots’ lost season, which has crumbled into an abyss of irrelevancy, will be measured by a single factor. The other alternative, if the Patriots can’t climb into the top two, would be drafting Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Georgia tight end Brock Bowers or one of the elite offensive tackles. GO DEEPER Howe: If you …

Bill Belichick’s future, Malik Cunningham’s usage and the Patriots’ struggling O-line
1 year, 5 months ago

Bill Belichick’s future, Malik Cunningham’s usage and the Patriots’ struggling O-line

New York Times  

Out of sight of all the cameras, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick met Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels by the Pats’ team buses at Allegiant Stadium to catch up after New England’s 21-17 loss Sunday. GO DEEPER The Patriots tried to start over — but they're still the same old struggling team LIVE: Bill Belichick Press Conference 10/16: …

Adding to offense tops Pats’ priorities entering free agency
4 years ago

Adding to offense tops Pats’ priorities entering free agency

Associated Press  

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: RB James White, C David Andrews, LG Joe Thuney, RB Rex Burkhead, QB Brian Hoyer, WR Damiere Byrd, K Nick Folk, DL Lawrence Guy, CB Jason McCourty, DT Adam Butler, CB Justin Bethel, FS Terrence Brooks, LB Shilique Calhoun, LB Brandon Copeland, LB John Simon, DT Carl Davis, FS Cody Davis, OL Jermaine Eluemunor, …

Discover Related