The New England Patriots placed all of their eggs in one basket.
They didn’t hesitate to trade quarterback Joe Milton III because they were fully committed to Drake Maye.
Notably, that’s why some fans and analysts are worried about reports from Maye’s recent practices.
He’s reportedly struggled with decision-making, accuracy and turnovers.
As much as the results haven’t necessarily been encouraging, new head coach Mike Vrabel still sees some positives.
“The command, the operation, all those things have continued to improve. I’m hopeful that in front of the crowd, the media, that we have a better day [today],” Vrabel said, via Mike Kadlick.
Mike Vrabel on Drake Maye’s 4 INT practice last week:
“The command, the operation, all those things have continued to improve.
I’m hopeful that in front of the crowd, the media, that we have a better day [today].” pic.twitter.com/rVoEsG3Vsw
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) May 28, 2025
Maye showed signs of promise as a rookie.
He started 12 games, completing 66.6 percent of his passes for 2,276 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
He also showcased his upside as a big-bodied scrambler, piling up yards and not being afraid of big hits.
The Patriots went to great lengths to add talent around him and get him some better protection ahead of his second year in the league.
He has all the physical tools to be a successful player, but NFL scouts thought he was quite raw when the Patriots took him No. 3 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Maybe he just needs a little more time, as he’s clearly far from a finished product.
However, it will be interesting to see what the Patriots do if his struggles continue in the regular season, as owner Robert Kraft may have lost his patience and is eager to return to their former winning ways.
