Drake Maye was at The Masters last weekend and said, “Everybody says, ‘You’ll be back.’ It’s not that easy. So, we’ve got to get back to work, and I’m looking forward to trying to prove to myself that I can get back and just have another year to get a chance at it.”

While Maye obviously wants to go back to the Super Bowl, his feet are grounded, as he knows it’s quite a difficult thing to achieve. He did it in his second year, but every year is different and the NFL constantly presents new challenges.

Maye doesn’t have a WR1

Last year, the Pats had Stefon Diggs, who surpassed 1,000 yards and was not only the best, but also the most experienced receiver on the roster. However, he is not there anymore and the Patriots have failed to bring another star to the roster.

As of now, their best receiver is Romeo Doubs, who was signed this offseason. However, he is nowhere near at the level that Diggs is. Hence, it remains to be seen if the team will use its draft capital, or trade for a top-tier addition.

The other challenges in front of the Patriots

This year, their calendar will be way, way tougher. Last season, the Pats had one of the easiest schedules in the NFL according to strength of opponents. However, by going to the Super Bowl, that will change drastically.

Also, their playoff run was marked by conveniences. During the Wild Card round, they faced a Chargers team with a depleted offensive line. In the Divisional round, Texans’ quarterback CJ Stroud gave away four interceptions, and in the AFC Championship game, they faced a Broncos team without Bo Nix, who got injured a game prior.

On Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported that the Patriots hosted Daniels for a pre-draft visit. The former Kansas Jayhawks standout is regarded as a high-upside developmental talent, though he is projected as a mid-to-late round selection rather than a first-round pick.

According to recent comments from head coach Mike Vrabel, improving the running game is a top priority this offseason. The addition of a mobile quarterback like Daniels would provide depth at a vital position and offer a “safety net” to avoid placing excessive pressure on Maye should injuries arise.

Drake Maye is the undisputed QB1, but 2026 brings new challenges

Drake Maye is coming off a spectacular breakout season in 2025. Under the guidance of Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, the former first-round pick finished as the NFL MVP runner-up, throwing for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns. However, the postseason proved to be a learning experience for the young star.

While Maye led the Patriots to Super Bowl LX, his performance in the championship loss to the Seattle Seahawks—where he was sacked six times and struggled with a minor shoulder injury—left some wondering how much more room he has to grow.

Great things are expected for Maye in 2026. Following the release of Stefon Diggs in March, the club is reportedly aggressively pursuing Eagles star A.J. Brown. Such an addition would provide Maye with an elite veteran target to replace Diggs’ production and help the offense take the final step toward a championship.

Will the Patriots draft Jalon Daniels?

Scouts have given Jalon Daniels a 5.66 prospect grade, labeling him a “developmental backup” with the potential to eventually become a starter. New England clearly sees something unique in his tape, likely valuing his mobility and the fact that he was healthy for his final two collegiate seasons.

With Tommy DeVito currently serving as the primary backup, Daniels could be a valuable late-draft addition. Scouts have noted his athleticism is among the best in the 2026 class, and for a Patriots team looking to add a different dimension to their playbook, Daniels represents a low-risk, high-reward investment.

In this way, Drake Maye now has a more than interesting group of receivers ahead of the upcoming season. The depth chart is now composed of: Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Efton Chism III, Kyle Williams and the aforementioned Doubs.

The agreement for the incorporation of the now former Packers player is for a total of $60 million over three seasons. A great move by the Patriots’ front office to support Maye.

Doubs was one of the names that sounded the strongest to arrive in New England, being a great desire of Vrabel and his staff. During his time in Green Bay, he had 202 catches and 21 TDs.

Filling the void left by Diggs

Stefon Diggs concluded his 2025 campaign with 85 receptions, 1,013 yards, and 4 touchdowns, maintaining his status as a high-volume threat. To successfully fill the void left by such a productive veteran, Romeo Doubs must build on his recent performance of 55 catches, 724 yards, and 6 touchdowns.

While Diggs excelled in total yardage, Doubs showed superior efficiency in the red zone; therefore, his path to becoming a true replacement lies in increasing his overall target share to match the consistent 1,000-yard production that Diggs provided.

The QB room is perhaps one of the most important pillars in a team’s structure in this league, and Mike Vrabel has secured Tommy DeVito as Maye’s primary backup for at least the next two years.

“New England reached agreement today with QB Tommy DeVito on a two-year, $7.4 million deal that includes $2 million guaranteed, per his agent Sean Stellato,” the insider Adam Schefter revealed on X.

It will be a matter of watching how events continue to unfold in New England to see which other reinforcements join the team and which players, unfortunately, will not return for the upcoming season.

Rumors of moves in Foxborough

Following the team’s recent AFC Championship run and Super Bowl LX appearance, the New England Patriots’ front office is aggressively retooling their roster to better support young quarterback Drake Maye.

The most significant move in this strategy was the Stefon Diggs release, a calculated decision to avoid a massive $26.5 million cap hit and gain nearly $17 million in flexibility.

With the Patriots salary cap in 2026 projected to be among the healthiest in the league despite a rising league-wide limit of over $301 million, rumors are swirling about high-profile replacements.

Speculation has reached a fever pitch regarding a potential trade for A.J. Brown, who has strong ties to head coach Mike Vrabel, as well as interest in veteran star Mike Evans and explosive playmaker Travis Etienne to revitalize the offense for another title run.

During the 2025 season, Mack Hollins became an important part of Drake Maye’s offense. Unfortunately, he missed the final two regular-season games due to a lacerated spleen suffered in December, which impacted his final statistics.

Hollins had 46 receptions before suffering the injury and needed just four more to secure a significant bonus. Despite falling short of that mark, the Patriots chose to recognize his performance by awarding him the incentive anyway.

Mack Hollins secures $400,000 incentive despite not reaching reception mark

When Hollins signed his contract with the Patriots in 2025, it included a $400,000 incentive if he reached 50 receptions during the regular season. He finished with 46, but New England still granted him the bonus.

On Friday, the Patriots restructured Hollins’ contract by converting that $400,000 into a signing bonus. The organization believes he likely would have surpassed the 50-catch threshold had he not suffered the injury and wanted to reward his effort throughout the season.

Hollins returned for the postseason and played a key role in helping the Patriots reach Super Bowl LX. For that reason, the team believes the move reflects both his impact and his value heading into 2026.

New England has built a formidable offense around Drake Maye

Drake Maye showed significant improvement in 2025, thanks in large part to the front office strengthening the roster around him. The offense looks promising, and expectations are high for the upcoming season.

Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, TreVeyon Henderson, and Hunter Henry are the primary weapons at Maye’s disposal, giving fans reason to believe the Patriots could make another deep postseason run in the upcoming campaign.

At the beginning of 2021, Chiefs Kingdom suffered a crushing defeat against Tom Brady’s Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV, in what was a clear display of defensive dominance over Mahomes. In response, Tyrann Mathieu quickly revealed the path the franchise chose to take from that point on—an approach that, according to the safety, the Pats should emulate.

“New England should take sort of the Kansas City Chiefs approach. After we lost [the Super Bowl]… the very next day, they got new offensive linemen… You gotta be able to protect the product.”

The words of the three-time Pro Bowler naturally come in the wake of what were perhaps somewhat excessive criticisms of rookie Will Campbell, who was the main target of the loss. For this reason, Mathieu emphasizes that the Patriots must act quickly to better protect their QB.

Wins and losses for Mathieu

Tyrann Mathieu has appeared in two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl LIV with the Kansas City Chiefs and falling short in Super Bowl LV the following year. Known as “The Honey Badger,” his defensive leadership was instrumental in the Chiefs’ 2020 comeback victory against the 49ers, though he couldn’t repeat the feat against Tom Brady’s Buccaneers in 2021.

Patriots looking to learn from their loss

Following their Super Bowl LX appearance, the New England Patriots are expected to prioritize Drake Maye’s protection this offseason after he was sacked an NFL-record 21 times during the 2025 playoffs.

To shore up the offensive line, the front office will likely use their first-round pick (No. 31) on high-end tackle prospects like Monroe Freeling or Caleb Lomu, while also exploring free agency for a veteran guard to stabilize the interior.

Despite the emergence of young left tackle Will Campbell, head coach Mike Vrabel is looking for “bookend” support and depth to ensure Maye remains healthy and productive for the 2026 campaign.

“I like the foundation of it, and we’ll try to improve on it,” the latest Coach of the Year said, via Mike Reiss of ESPN. Prior to Vrabel’s arrival, the Pats posted back-to-back 4–13 records, but in his most recent campaign, the script flipped entirely: 14 wins and just three losses.

While the level the team displayed throughout the regular season — and even into the postseason — was far superior to some of its rivals, the head coach knows several changes are coming from here on out in order to improve the results.

“There’ll be some difficult decisions that we’ll have to make, and we’ll try to do them with the team’s best interest in mind. As always, that’ll never change,” the former Titans coach also added.

Preparing for what’s next

Building a competitive roster to best support Drake Maye has become imperative for this team, with the offensive line perhaps standing out as its Achilles’ heel. Vrabel understands the business of the NFL well, which is why he knows exactly how to approach this new process.

“As I was taught, we talk about the business of the NFL, we’re looking for the better, younger, cheaper player every day, and the players that we have are trying to not let that happen,” Vrabel said. “And that’s the dynamic. That’s the business of the National Football League.”

Even in moments when the franchise must recover from the recent defeat in Santa Clara, the Patriots’ front office and coaching staff have no intention of resting and are already thinking about building the future team in Foxborough.

After a challenging rookie season in 2024, Maye made significant strides in 2025. He led New England to Super Bowl LX and, despite the loss, gave fans reason to believe the franchise may have finally found Tom Brady’s long-term successor.

The Patriots recognize the importance of maintaining that upward trajectory. As a result, they ensured continuity by keeping quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant, who was instrumental in Maye’s growth and transformation into a more polished and confident starter.

Which team was interested in Ashton Grant?

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the Las Vegas Raiders expressed interest in interviewing Ashton Grant for their vacant offensive coordinator position. However, the Patriots blocked the request, as they are determined to retain him for at least another season.

Grant currently serves as the Patriots’ quarterbacks coach and is widely viewed as a key factor behind Drake Maye’s significant improvement in 2025. It was his first year in the role after joining the organization alongside head coach Mike Vrabel.

Prior to Grant’s arrival, Maye worked with T.C. McCartney under former head coach Jerod Mayo. During the 2024 season, Maye finished with a 3–9 record and a 55.2 QBR. In 2025, his performance took a major leap, leading New England to a 14–3 record and a Super Bowl appearance, while posting a 77.1 QBR in the regular season.

Campbell was one of the most heavily criticized Patriots players after Super Bowl LX. The rookie left tackle had a difficult night against the Seahawks’ defensive line, but he has since provided context for his performance.

According to Mark Daniels of MassLive.com, Campbell revealed that he played the last part of the 2025 NFL season with a torn ligament in his knee. While he acknowledged that he underperformed on the biggest stage, the lingering injury may explain why he lacked full confidence and mobility during the Super Bowl.

New England needs a stronger offensive line

Throughout the 2025 season, Drake Maye was among the most sacked quarterbacks in the NFL. That issue was magnified in Super Bowl LX, where he was taken down seven times—clear evidence that the Patriots’ offensive line remains a major concern.

Although Campbell, who refused to speak to media after Super Bowl LX, allowed 14 pressures, the most he gave up in any game during the 2025 campaign, he was not solely responsible for the protection breakdowns. The struggles extended across the entire offensive line, highlighting a unit that requires significant improvement heading into 2026.

There is no question that Drake Maye has the talent to be a franchise quarterback. However, NFL history is filled with gifted signal-callers whose careers were hindered by poor offensive line play—just ask Joe Burrow or Justin Herbert. If the Patriots want Maye to succeed long term, fixing the offensive line must be a top priority.

“We just have 10 weeks until we’re back here,” Maye said to his teammates during the Patriots’ end of season media availabilties, via ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “That doesn’t sound too far away. It turns around quickly on you. I’m looking forward to it.”

Thus, Maye’s message serves as a clear reminder to his teammates. As much as the 29–13 defeat in Santa Clara stings—and will continue to do so—the 2026 NFL season will arrive sooner than they realize. After finishing 4–13 in 2024 and then reaching the Super Bowl this season, the Patriots may not fully grasp just how much shorter their offseason will be after making it all the way to Super Bowl LX.

Offseason schedule

Although the NFL offseason is known for being extremely long—with fans counting down the days until the start of OTAs and training camp—Maye’s statement is actually accurate.

Unless the Patriots move on from Mike Vrabel—which has virtually no chance of happening—their team workouts cannot begin until the third Monday of April. As a result, Maye and his teammates won’t be back on the field in New England until, at the very least, April 20, 2026.

Diggs’ future, Maye is going up against ghosts

Whether Diggs will be with the team by then, and for the 2026 NFL season as a whole, is a question of its own. As it stands, Diggs made his intentions clear with a four-word message about his future with the Patriots after Super Bowl LX. As long as he remains part of the organization, Diggs will be happy to stay in Foxborough.

As for Maye and the rest of the roster, they already have enough on their plate without having to worry about Diggs’ situation. For Maye, he may now be staring down an NFL curse for the rest of his career.

By losing a Super Bowl in his second season, he has joined a list that includes household names like Dan Marino, Joe Burrow, and Brock Purdy—all of whom lost the biggest game of their careers as sophomores. However, none of them ever made it back to the Super Bowl. While Burrow and Purdy still have time to break the curse, Maye must now strive to do so as soon as possible, before it becomes a lasting narrative around him.

“This Drake Maye tape is worse than I thought. There were wide open guys everywhere — even when he had time, he just wasn’t seeing it. It was the definition of a ‘seeing ghosts’ game,” Benkert wrote on X (@kurtbenkert) while sharing his analysis.

Benkert reviewed nearly every snap Maye took during the Patriots’ offensive drives in Super Bowl LX against the Seahawks and noted that in several situations, especially when he was sacked, Maye failed to think quickly and get rid of the ball to avoid losing yardage.

Sacks hurt Maye

In his analysis, Benkert explains that despite having other passing options to avoid taking a sack or losing a down, Maye simply was not seeing his receivers downfield when they were open. That’s why the six sacks he took during the Super Bowl were so damaging for the Patriots.

On multiple plays, according to Benkert’s breakdown, it was clear that Maye failed to recognize his best passing option, a wide receiver left wide open, instead locking his eyes on the more difficult throw that was covered by one or even two Seahawks defenders.

“I just don’t know what’s going on,” Benkert said in his analysis while detailing how Maye missed so many easy layups against a Seahawks defense that, while tough, was far from perfect in the Super Bowl, where the Patriots quarterback lost 43 yards due to sacks.