NFL

Drake Maye labels Patriots' offensive struggles 'unacceptable' after blowout loss to Jaguars

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Sep 28, 2026, 03:34 IST

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has taken accountability for his team's offensive woes following a 35-6 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars, citing his own turnovers and poor decision-making as key factors.

Drake Maye labels Patriots' offensive struggles 'unacceptable' after blowout loss to Jaguars

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has described his team’s offensive output as "unacceptable" following a demoralizing 35-6 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. The loss dropped the Patriots to a 1-2 record, with the young signal-caller pointing to his own performance as a primary area requiring immediate improvement.

Maye struggled throughout the contest, finishing 14-of-25 for 199 yards with no touchdowns. His performance was marred by three turnovers—two interceptions and a lost fumble—resulting in a Total QBR of 11.9. This mark represents the lowest for a Patriots starter since Bailey Zappe’s 1.9 rating against the New York Jets in the final week of the 2023 season.

Accountability and Turnover Struggles

Reflecting on the defeat, Maye emphasized the need for personal accountability as the team attempts to navigate a difficult start to the season. "I have to look myself in the mirror and take this as a turning point," Maye said. "It’s been unacceptable for three weeks. I have to start with myself, lead these guys, and get back after it."

The turnover issues were a recurring theme throughout the afternoon. A fumble in the first quarter occurred when the ball slipped from Maye’s hand, an incident he attributed to blood on the ball from center Jared Wilson’s hand. However, Maye insisted that he must maintain better control of the football regardless of the circumstances. Later, in the second quarter, a critical third-and-goal opportunity ended when Jaguars cornerback Travis Hunter intercepted a pass intended for Efton Chism III. Maye admitted he was "forcing it" on that play, a tendency that has plagued him since his three-interception fourth quarter in the season opener against the Seahawks.

Addressing Concerns and Looking Ahead

Head coach Mike Vrabel echoed the need for change, noting that the team’s decision-making with the football must improve. "We haven't made good decisions with the football. We have to get it fixed," Vrabel stated. "And everybody else has to do much better, starting with me." The pressure on Maye was significant, as he faced pressure on 11 dropbacks during the first half alone, marking a career high for a single half.

Addressing speculation regarding his health, Maye dismissed concerns that a previous right shoulder injury, which required a pain-killing injection during February’s Super Bowl LX, was impacting his current play. He maintained that he is healthy and that any physical discomfort is typical for players at this stage of the season. With six interceptions through the first three games—the most by a Patriots quarterback since Drew Bledsoe in 1994—Maye is now focused on the upcoming challenge against the 3-0 Buffalo Bills. He emphasized that his primary objective is to protect the football and lead the team toward a more cohesive offensive performance.