Drake Maye is back on the field and feeling better than ever. The New England Patriots’ rising star quarterback is participating in the team’s voluntary offseason workouts without any restrictions, a promising sign after he battled a shoulder injury late last season.
Speaking at the Truist Championship Pro-Am in Charlotte on Wednesday, Maye gave fans a reassuring update. “I’m doing great. Nothing, nothing, no problems at all,” he told the Associated Press. He also confirmed that surgery wasn’t necessary, which is a huge relief for a franchise counting on him to lead the charge.
Maye’s 2024 campaign was nothing short of spectacular. He completed 72% of his passes for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions during the regular season, earning his first Pro Bowl nod and finishing second in MVP voting behind Matthew Stafford. He also guided the Patriots to their first Super Bowl appearance in seven years, cementing his status as one of the league’s most exciting young quarterbacks.
However, the postseason was a different story. Maye’s completion rate dipped to 58.3% over four playoff games, with six touchdowns and four interceptions. He also led the league with seven fumbles during that stretch, and late in the AFC Championship Game in Denver, he suffered a right throwing shoulder injury on a tackle. Though he stayed in the game, his Super Bowl preparation was limited as a practice participant.
The Patriots ultimately fell to the Seattle Seahawks 29-13 in the title game. Maye played all 71 offensive snaps and received a pre-game injection for support, but he wasn’t listed on the final injury report. After the loss, he admitted he needed time to recover, saying, “I’ll definitely just need time off. Hoping to get some rest and just time away from football.”
Now, with a clean bill of health and a full offseason ahead, Maye is ready to build on his breakout season. For Patriots fans—and anyone who loves seeing a young QB rise—this is exactly the kind of news that makes the wait for next season a little easier.