Maye's 'Shot' Confidence and Thin OL Depth Threaten Patriots' Week 4

Key points

• Maye's Week 3 performance against the Jaguars was his worst yet, with a 40 percent drop-back success rate and two interceptions.
• Chad Graff of The Athletic states Maye's confidence is 'shot,' attributing his struggles to mental issues as much as physical ones.
• Mike Vrabel told Maye to 'relax' and stop forcing plays, acknowledging the need for a calmer approach to turn things around.
• The Patriots' offensive line depth is critical, with Greg Van Roten placed on injured reserve, leaving the unit thin for Week 4.
• Maye is practicing in full for the Week 4 game against the Buffalo Bills, despite a new right shoulder injury report.
• Fantasy analysts rank Maye 32nd in points per drop-back, below Daniel Jones and Cam Ward, making him a shaky option for Week 4.

Background

Maye's struggles began in the 2025 playoffs and continued into the 2026 season, with seven turnovers in the first three games. Earlier this month, former Patriots stars Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady's teammate Julian Edelman warned that Maye looked uncomfortable and regressing. The team's offense has sputtered, averaging around 15 points per game, with a shaky run game and protection issues. Maye's Week 1 loss to the Seahawks and Week 2 win over the Steelers highlighted his inconsistency, with the latter being a defensive slugfest where he threw an interception. The Patriots' offensive line has been a persistent issue, with injuries and lack of depth derailing the offense. Maye's Week 3 performance against the Jaguars was particularly bad, with a 35-6 loss and two interceptions, leading to high concern from coach Mike Vrabel about ball security. Maye acknowledged the poor performance, stating he must 'look himself in the mirror' and treat this as a turning point. The team faces a difficult upcoming schedule, including a trip to the Buffalo Bills, while key receiver A.J. Brown remains injured.

How outlets are covering it

NBC Sports and The Athletic emphasize Maye's mental struggles, with Graff describing his confidence as 'shot' and Vrabel urging him to 'relax.' Pats Pulpit highlights the thin offensive line depth and the impact of injuries on the offense, noting that the Patriots' biggest defensive weakness is becoming impossible to ignore. Defector's Drew Magary questions whether Maye's career has been derailed by the 'un-Christian behavior of his head coach,' suggesting a deeper issue with the team's culture. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano note that Maye is hardly the only quarterback with a concerning start to the season, but his struggles are particularly pronounced. Mike Reiss of ESPN points out that Maye has been pressing, and its effects on the Patriots have been wide-ranging, with his turnovers changing everything. The consensus is that Maye's struggles are multifaceted, involving mental, physical, and systemic issues within the offense.

Why it matters

Maye's performance is critical for the Patriots' season, as his struggles have led to a 1-2 record and a 35-6 loss to the Jaguars. The team's offensive line depth is a major concern, with injuries and lack of depth derailing the offense. Maye's mental confidence is a key factor, with analysts questioning whether he can turn things around. The Patriots' upcoming schedule is difficult, including a trip to the Buffalo Bills, and the team's ability to compete will depend on Maye's ability to improve. Fantasy analysts are also concerned, with Maye ranked 32nd in points per drop-back, making him a risky option for Week 4. The Patriots' offense has sputtered, averaging around 15 points per game, and the team's ability to compete will depend on Maye's ability to improve and the offensive line's ability to protect him.

What to watch

The Patriots will face the Buffalo Bills in Week 4, with Maye practicing in full despite a new right shoulder injury report. The team's offensive line depth is a major concern, with Greg Van Roten placed on injured reserve, leaving the unit thin for the game. Maye's mental confidence is a key factor, with analysts questioning whether he can turn things around. The Patriots' upcoming schedule is difficult, and the team's ability to compete will depend on Maye's ability to improve and the offensive line's ability to protect him. Fantasy analysts are also concerned, with Maye ranked 32nd in points per drop-back, making him a risky option for Week 4. The Patriots' offense has sputtered, averaging around 15 points per game, and the team's ability to compete will depend on Maye's ability to improve and the offensive line's ability to protect him.