The New England Patriots celebrated their initial victory of the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning 20-3. Head coach Mike Vrabel remained unfazed by questions concerning quarterback Drake Maye’s recent performances.
During the post-game press conference, Vrabel engaged in a tense dialogue with Ben Volin from the Boston Globe regarding his concerns about Maye’s play in the first two games of the season. Vrabel made it clear, saying, ‘You’re not going to ruin my Sunday,’ when asked about Maye’s struggles.
“You’re not going to ruin my Sunday,” Vrabel stated firmly.
Greg Bedard also questioned Vrabel, prompting the coach to focus on the positives and avoid discussing negatives after a win.
Drake Maye’s recent performances have been unimpressive. Against Pittsburgh, Maye completed 14 of 22 passes for 208 yards, without securing a touchdown and throwing one interception. Despite a notable 63-yard connection with receiver Romeo Doubs, the Patriots’ offense scored only 13 points, relying heavily on their defense.
The defensive effort held Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers to a mere 235 total yards and only 3 points. Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson scored the team’s sole offensive touchdown with a 39-yard run early in the game. Christian Barmore and Elijah Ponder also made crucial plays to secure the win.
Maye’s performance was troublesome, particularly following a difficult season opener against the Seattle Seahawks. During that game, Maye threw three interceptions in the fourth quarter, turning a 10-point advantage into a 13-10 defeat.
Reflecting on that game, Maye admitted, ‘We had the game under control but lost patience, which cost us.’
“We had the game under control,” Maye admitted following the game.
Over the first two contests, Maye has managed just one touchdown pass compared to four interceptions, which highlights a stark contrast to his 2025 season. Last year, he amassed 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns, finishing as the runner-up for the NFL MVP award.
Despite the Patriots’ challenging past game against Seattle, Vrabel is rightfully enjoying the win. Yet, with Maye trying to regain his top form, questions about his performance persist.
Amber Harding provides insights for OutKick.
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