As the New England Patriots get set to take on the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in Super Bowl LX, they are dealing with some concerning injury news surrounding their star quarterback and MVP candidate, Drake Maye. Obviously, the Patriots will want their starting quarterback to play in the biggest game of the season, but his status is at least somewhat up in the air.
The second-year quarterback and former No. 3 overall pick out of North Carolina has been limited in practice recently, listed with a shoulder injury and an illness. When pressed on Maye’s status, Patriots HC Mike Vrabel has downplayed the severity of the injury, though he learned from former New England HC Bill Belichick and isn’t the most forthcoming in press conferences.
“Well the players won’t practice tomorrow, so I guess if we have to release an injury report we’ll do that at that time,” Vrabel said on Monday with his usual bluntness. “We practiced today, we’re gonna have Tuesday off like we normally do, and then come back on Wednesday.”
New England Patriots QB Drake Maye Built a Strong MVP Case
GettyDENVER, COLORADO – JANUARY 25: Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots warms up during pregame prior to the AFC Championship Playoff game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on January 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
In the regular season alone, Maye threw for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns to just eight interceptions, all while completing 72.0 percent of his passes. He added 450 rushing yards and four touchdowns, providing the Patriots with a dual threat under center who could attack defenses downfield with his arm or his legs.
Rams QB Matthew Stafford is probably still the frontrunner to win the MVP award. His numbers are a bit better than Maye’s, and the Rams had the league’s best offense this year. Maye is playing in the Super Bowl and Stafford is not, but the voting largely takes place before the playoffs, so that’s not really factored in.
Even so, there are some strong arguments to make for Maye’s candidacy. Stafford throws to two of the best receivers in the game in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, all while sitting behind one of the league’s best offensive lines. Maye, on the other hand, has a middling group of Patriots receivers to throw to and New England’s offensive line is young and still growing. To put up the numbers he did — especially with such strong efficiency metrics — is impressive.
Plus, MVP voters love to give the award to the newest hot, young quarterback. That’s Maye, a second-year player who’s taken the NFL by storm this year and led his Patriots to the brink of winning it all.
New England Patriots QB Drake Maye Needs to Seize This Opportunity
It’s not easy to win a Super Bowl. And the track record for quarterbacks who lose in their first opportunity to win one isn’t great. Since 2000, Eagles QB Jalen Hurts is the only starting quarterback to lose his first Super Bowl and then make it back to another and win it.
This is the first Super Bowl appearance for both starting quarterbacks in this game. But for Maye and the Patriots, it’s a unique opportunity. Winning on Sunday could mark the start of yet another New England Patriots dynasty.
Patriots’ Mike Vrabel Clarifies Drake Maye’s Practice Status Amid Super Bowl Week