New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is facing a stark downturn in performance early in the 2026 NFL season, a significant decline after a breakthrough year in 2025. Entering his third professional campaign, Maye led the Patriots to the Super Bowl last season and nearly earned the league’s Most Valuable Player award. However, through the first three games this year, both Maye and the Patriots’ offense have struggled considerably.
The Patriots, currently holding a 1-2 record, have the league’s lowest points per possession average of the past decade, and they sit tied for the most turnovers with eight—seven of which have been committed by Maye. The team’s offensive struggles have amplified concerns as they prepare to face the undefeated Buffalo Bills in their upcoming divisional matchup.
Head coach Mike Vrabel expressed serious apprehension about the team’s situation, stating, “My concern level is very high for this football team. We have to fix a lot of things.”
Maye’s sophomore season was marked by his impressive ability to minimize turnovers and consistently connect on deep passes. Last year, he completed half of his throws beyond 20 yards and ranked second in deep passing yardage only to MVP Matthew Stafford. This season, those skills have deteriorated sharply. Through three games, Maye has thrown six interceptions, approaching his total of eight over the entire previous season. His performance hit a low point in the Patriots’ 35-6 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles.
The deep passing game has also faltered. Of Maye’s 12 attempts on passes of 20 yards or more in 2026, three have been intercepted. Analysts have pointed to several possible causes for this decline, including a lingering shoulder injury, questionable decision-making, and diminished confidence. Additionally, the Patriots’ early-season schedule has been tougher than last year, featuring three teams that reached the playoffs in 2025.
Maye acknowledged his struggles following the Jacksonville defeat, saying, “I gotta look at myself in the mirror and take this as a turning point. We’ve got to get some fuel and realize that what we’re doing out there offensively is unacceptable.”
There is also a wider team issue. The Patriots have scored just 36 points in three games, and their offense has dropped by 1.6 points per possession compared to last season—the largest decline in the league since at least 2016, according to Stats Perform. Their lone victory came against the Pittsburgh Steelers, with one of their touchdowns resulting from a defensive play rather than offensive production.
Despite the challenges, Maye sees the upcoming game against Buffalo and quarterback Josh Allen as a potential turning point. The Bills have allowed an average of 26 points per game and were the site of one of Maye’s signature victories last year—a late win secured by a last-minute field goal.
“This is an opportunity to band together,” Maye said. “That starts with me protecting the football and protecting this team because that’s my job, and I’ve been failing to do that.” As the Patriots confront mounting pressure, many will be watching closely to see if Maye and New England can rebound from their early-season struggles.