Category: Patriots

Why the Patriots believe Drake Maye could improve even more in Year 2

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Why the Patriots believe Drake Maye could improve even more in Year 2

The New England Patriots are entering organized team activities with growing optimism surrounding quarterback Drake Maye and his development entering the 2026 season.

After a breakout first full season under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, the Patriots believe the former first-round pick may only be scratching the surface.

Patriots expecting faster development from Maye

Maye finished last season as the MVP runner-up after completing 72 percent of his passes with 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions during the regular season.

The young quarterback helped lead New England to a 14-3 record before the offense slowed down in the playoffs against elite defenses.

Now, the focus shifts toward what another offseason in McDaniels’ system could unlock.

“I think the underrated thing he has this year is obviously going into Year 2 in the system is big,” Hunter Henry recently said, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “This system demands a lot on the quarterback position. To have a whole offseason to be in the same scheme and really build on what he did last year, I’m excited to see the jump and progress he can make on a day-to-day basis.”

McDaniels’ offense no longer brand new

One of the biggest talking points surrounding Maye last offseason involved how much responsibility came with operating McDaniels’ offense.

The Patriots’ system places heavy mental demands on the quarterback position, especially with protections, pre-snap adjustments, and progression reads.

Former NFL quarterback Brian Hoyer explained why the second season inside the system can dramatically change a quarterback’s comfort level.

“I always knew the ‘what’ early on in my career, but understanding the ‘why’ came with time. By the end of my time with Josh, I understood the reason for every playcall he was putting in. This year, Drake is going to understand the ‘why’ on the majority of things, which is going to make him play even faster as far as progressions,” Hoyer said.

Patriots facing tougher road in 2026

The Patriots will need Maye to elevate again, as they enter a significantly more difficult schedule.

New England opens the year with seven road games across its first 11 contests, including a Super Bowl LX rematch against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1.

Despite the difficult slate, the organization continues to believe Maye’s growth gives the Patriots a chance to remain among the AFC’s top contenders.

His athleticism, decision-making, and command of the offense already took major steps forward last season. Internally, the expectation now centers around faster processing, stronger anticipation, and even greater control of the offense entering Year 2.

For a Patriots franchise trying to fully establish its next era under center, the development of Drake Maye remains the storyline that matters most.

Thanks for reading. Make sure to check out the latest episode of the OutOfSightSports YouTube series, which dropped last night, where we break down five of the biggest fantasy football sleepers heading into the upcoming 2026-27 NFL season.

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Patriots HC Mike Vrabel vows to find ‘rat’ behind team leak

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots first year head coach Mike Vrabel isn’t hiding his frustration. After reports surfaced that wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk could miss the 2025 season with a shoulder injury, Vrabel vowed Thursday to track down the “rat” leaking news from inside the building,

I’d like to find out where some of these [reports] come from. Some of these rats around here. We’ll figure that out,” said Vrabel in a video posted to X (formerly known as Twitter) by Sleeper’s Carlos A. Lopez.

The Pats head coach declined to confirm the report, but his comments suggested there may be truth to it. Polk was expected to step into a much larger role this season after a quiet rookie campaign. Drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, he recorded just 12 catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns in limited action as a rookie.

The potential loss of Polk is another setback for a Patriots wide receiver group already thin on depth. Veteran Stefon Diggs is still recovering from an ACL tear he suffered in October 2024, leaving New England with major questions just weeks before the season opener. The team could look to add a veteran pass catcher through a trade or via roster cuts around the league.

Vrabel, hired this offseason to help reset a franchise coming off a 4-13 finish in 2024, has made accountability and intensity hallmarks of his approach. Rooting out an internal leak won’t show up in the standings, but it reflects the tone Vrabel is trying to establish as New England rebuilds.

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Garrett Bradbury sends warning to teammates ahead of Vikings joint practices

Garrett Bradbury’s return to the Minnesota Vikings comes with a message for his new team. As the New England Patriots head into joint practices with the Vikings, the veteran center—signed by the Pats in March—knows exactly what to expect from the other sideline and how quickly these sessions can turn competitive.

The Vikings under defensive coordinator Brian Flores are anything but passive. Flores, who rose from scouting assistant to defensive play-caller during his time in New England, has a reputation for dialing pressure and treating every rep like a live test, even in August. That approach can stress protections and expose communication if an offense isn’t ready.

“I’ve seen some offenses come in there for joint practice with not a lot of game-plan and it’s an absolute disaster [for them]. You have to game-plan,” Bradbury warned, according to a piece written by ESPN’s Mike Reiss. The subtext is clear: treat these practices like game day or pay for it.

The Patriots have already taken that advice to heart, spending the early week periods mimicking Minnesota’s front and coverage menu to sharpen rules and reactions before lining up across from Flores’ group. It’s an early chance to measure a reshaped New England offensive line against an aggressive look they won’t see every day.

With sessions set in Minnesota ahead of this weekend’s preseason matchup, the work offers stakes without standings—precisely the environment where Flores’ defense thrives and where Bradbury’s experience can steady the Patriots’ operation. Expect tempo, pressure, and plenty of teachable film before the teams meet under the lights.

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