Drake Maye’s struggles in the Super Bowl were likely a result of his much-ballyhooed shoulder injury. But that injury will not need any procedural fixes, according to the New England Patriots quarterback.
Despite stating he needed a pain-killing injection to play against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Maye said he would opt for rest to heal the injury to his throwing shoulder rather than surgery.
Maye was largely ineffective against the Seahawks, both with his arm and legs, in New England’s 29-13 loss in Super Bowl 60 in Santa Clara, California. He was 27 for 43 for 295 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions plus 37 rushing yards and one fumble lost.
Drake Maye: ‘Time is the Best Healer’ for his Right Shoulder Injury
Maye injured his shoulder in New England’s 10-7 win over the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game but was never at risk of missing the Super Bowl.
“I don’t think throwing was the instance for my arm,” Maye said. “It’s a case of having one hit in the AFC Championship Game that was kind of unfortunate. Unfortunate timing.”
Still, with the Patriots’ offseason shorter than every other AFC team, Maye could have opted for a procedure to hasten his healing. But Maye didn’t think that was necessary.
“Time is the best healer,” Maye said. “I definitely just need time off. It’s nothing that needs anything that needs to be done. I just [need] some time away and time to get some rest and just time away from football.”
Maye played all 21 regular-season and playoff games for New England this season, the most he had ever suited up for in a single season in his 24 years of life.
So even more than his aching shoulder, it sounded like Maye needed to give his brain a break after dealing with the long year and losing in the biggest spectacle in sports — though he did lament the missed plays in Sunday’s game.
“I was feeling like I was able to make throws in the game and was myself,” Maye said.
Drake Maye Feels the Sky is The Limit for The Patriots Offense
Maye’s injury may have limited his ability in the Super Bowl, but all things considered he feels strong and was pleased with the way the 2025 season went.
“I was blessed this year,” Maye said. “What a year of health and blessings this year.”
Maye was the runner-up to Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams for NFL MVP this year in his first season working with longtime New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Still, he felt like there was still much more to learn and unlock with the Patriots offense.
“It felt like my rookie year,” Maye said. “I was in the first year of this offense. I was the first full-time starter and had a great chance to learn so much from a great offensive coordinator … and kind of building the foundation for this offense.
“There’s so much more we can take with this offense and give me more tools and more answers at the line of scrimmage.”
Part of Maye’s tools likely will need to be another wide receiver or two. The Pats have about $43 million in cap space — plus any more they choose to use with strategic cuts — and just 54.8% percent of the team’s 361 completions were to wide receivers during the regular season.
Patriots QB Drake Maye Shares Shoulder Injury Update After Super Bowl Loss