The New England Patriots have had a tough season in head coach Jerod Mayo's first year at the helm. Mayo took over from legendary head coach Bill Belichick after last season and was a part of the decision to draft quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick in April's draft. As the team looks to end the season on a high note, Mayo gave an update Wednesday on the rookie's availability entering Sunday's season finale against the Buffalo Bills.
“Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said Drake Maye will play ‘if he's healthy and ready to go,'” NFL insider Ian Rapoport posted.
Well, Maye landed on Wednesday's injury report with a right hand injury and was listed as a limited participant. Matt Geagan of CBS Boston notes that Maye has been seen “flexing his hand” in recent games, but he hasn't missed any time besides a brief absence last week against the Los Angeles Chargers due to a head injury. Perhaps this injury will be the excuse needed to sit Maye with the Patriots in line to get the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft
Last weekend's home loss to the Chargers was a tough one for Maye and Co., as the 40-7 final score showed a team that is in dire need of more talent. Maye has shown flashes throughout the season and looks to be a good bet to finally be Tom Brady's long-term replacement. Now the focus must be on surrounding Maye with high quality talent. Can Mayo and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf provide Maye with the tools to succeed?
How will Drake Maye, Patriots end season?
The Patriots would secure the No. 1 pick if they lose to a Bills team that has nothing to play for in Week 18, with the No. 2 seed in the AFC already locked up. The embattled Mayo and his players would like to end the season on a high note, but losing would likely be better for the future, so it will be interesting to see how they play it.
Some might say the Patriots have regressed from the form they showed earlier this season. Their last win was against the Chicago Bears in the Windy City, where Maye bested fellow rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Since then, they've lost six straight. Some games were close, such as the one-point loss to the Indianapolis Colts to kick off December. Some ended like last week's against the Chargers. Even if Sunday's matchup against Buffalo ends in defeat as well, a close loss would show improvement from a team that desperately needs it.
The calls for Mayo's job are growing louder, and there is a chance that he doesn't make it past his first season in charge. Although some would like to see former New England great Mike Vrabel take over the head coaching role, would that put Maye's development even further behind that it has been at times this year? That's a question that will be considered as the Patriots head into the future.
