Two weeks into the season, and the New England Patriots faithful are already hitting the panic button over their franchise quarterback. Drake Maye, who finished as the NFL MVP runner-up in 2025, has looked anything but elite in the early going, and Week 2 has only intensified the worry.
The Patriots fell to the Seahawks in Week 1, with Maye tossing three interceptions, including a game-sealing pick. Now, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the struggles continue. New England holds a slim 10-3 lead, but Maye's latest mistake—a brutal red-zone interception to Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen—has fans and analysts alike sounding the alarm.
Bill Simmons, founder of The Ringer, didn't mince words on social media, posting a simple but telling message: "DRAKE MAYE PANIC TWEET." The sentiment echoes across Patriots Nation, as the offense sputters despite the defense keeping the game within reach.
NFL fans have been quick to pile on, with one writing, "Drake Maye LOVES throwing awful interceptions, these days." Another added, "Drake Maye's last 3 games: 1 INT (so far) 3 INTs 2 INTs," highlighting a troubling trend. The criticism isn't just about the turnovers, but the timing—these picks are coming in critical moments, killing drives and keeping opponents in games.
One fan pointed out a particularly frustrating sequence: "Another '???' interception by Drake Maye. One play after a nice 29-yard completion to Romeo Doubs on third down, he threw well short of Hunter Henry into double coverage. Picked off by Patrick Queen. Ugly." That kind of inconsistency—showing flashes of brilliance followed by head-scratching decisions—has been the story of Maye's young season.
The panic isn't just about two games, though. Some fans are drawing stark comparisons to the Patriots' legendary past. One pointed out, "Drake Maye will expose who is a Patriots fan (Simmons) and who is a Brady fan. Because right now, you have to contradict yourself to praise both as great. Maye is • 1-8 when he throws more than 35 passes • 2-10 when NE allows 24+ PTS • 1-7 at 4QCs All the areas where Brady had an edge, Maye can barely win a game outside of Baltimore on a night Lamar left injured at halftime, or the Miami game last year when the special teams exchanged TDs in the 4Q to inflate the final score."
It's a harsh assessment, but the numbers don't lie. Maye's struggles in high-pressure situations are becoming a pattern, and the rainy forecast for the Steelers game could make things even trickier for the young quarterback.
While it's still early, the reaction from Patriots fans after the Week 1 loss was already brutal, and this latest performance isn't helping. The team needs Maye to find his rhythm fast, or the season could spiral. The costly final throw in Week 1 was a wake-up call, and this red-zone pick is another.
Maye has the talent—that 29-yard strike to Doubs showed that—but consistency is the key. Until he cuts down on the turnovers and starts making winning plays in crunch time, the panic will only grow louder in New England.
