Patriots QB Maye Blames Bloodied Ball for Fumble in 35-6 Loss to Jaguars

Key points

• Maye fumbled the ball in the first quarter of the Patriots' 35-6 loss to the Jaguars, with the ball recovered by Jaguars defender DaVon Hamilton.
• Maye claimed center Jared Wilson was bleeding on his hand, which caused the ball to slip from Maye's grip during a handoff.
• Wilson confirmed he had a cut on his middle finger but stated such injuries are common for centers who do not wear gloves.
• Head coach Mike Vrabel expressed high concern over the team's performance, citing poor decision-making and turnovers across all phases.
• The Patriots are 1-2 after three games and will face the Buffalo Bills in Week 4.
• Maye has committed seven total turnovers in the first three games of the season, including two interceptions and a fumble in the Jaguars game.

Background

This incident follows a pattern of turnovers for Drake Maye early in the 2026 season. In Week 1, Maye threw three interceptions in a 13-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. In Week 3, he committed three more turnovers in the 35-6 loss to the Jaguars, bringing his season total to seven. Previous coverage noted that Maye has struggled with ball security and indecision, leading to scrutiny from coaches and fans. The Patriots' record is 1-2, and they face the Buffalo Bills in Week 4.

How outlets are covering it

The Boston Herald and NBC Sports both reported Maye's explanation that blood from center Jared Wilson's hand caused the fumble. Wilson, as quoted by the Boston Herald, downplayed the incident, calling it a common occurrence for centers. NBC Sports compared the explanation to a fictional character's excuse, highlighting the unusual nature of the claim. The New England Patriots' official postgame quotes showed head coach Mike Vrabel expressing high concern over the team's performance, emphasizing the need for better decision-making and consistency. Vrabel did not directly address the blood-on-ball explanation but focused on the broader issues of turnovers and execution. ESPN's source was inaccessible, so no additional perspective could be extracted from it.

Why it matters

The fumble and Maye's explanation highlight ongoing concerns about ball security and decision-making for the Patriots' quarterback. With seven turnovers in three games, Maye's performance is under scrutiny, and the team's 1-2 record reflects the impact of these mistakes. The upcoming game against the Buffalo Bills will be a critical test for the Patriots' ability to correct these issues. Wilson's comment on the commonality of cuts for centers may mitigate the blame on the center, but the focus remains on Maye's overall performance and the team's need for improvement.

What to watch

The Patriots will face the Buffalo Bills in Week 4. Head coach Mike Vrabel indicated that the team will focus on improving decision-making and consistency in practice. Maye has stated he must treat the recent struggles as a turning point. The team will also address pre-snap penalties and red-zone execution, as noted by Vrabel in the postgame press conference.