By R.L. Bynum
The sting of the Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks hasn’t gone away for New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, but neither has his hunger and drive to keep getting better.
At Patriots training camp on Saturday, Maye talked about last year’s breakout season and what he’s looking for next season, which starts with a national-TV rematch against the Seahawks on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
Asked to assess the start of camp, Maye struck an upbeat tone while acknowledging the work still ahead.
“It was great to be back out here. That’s the first thing,” Maye said. “We’ve got to clean some things up. I think that’s what camp is. The first couple days you get in the swing of going full speed again. We got some stuff to clean up offensively, for sure, but I think we made some plays, and we’ve just got to be consistent and more efficient.”
Turning the page from last season’s frustrating finish hasn’t been difficult for Maye, he said, because the disappointment has only sharpened his focus for what comes next.
“I don’t think it’s very hard because you’re still hungry. I think you’ve got something to chase,” Maye said. “I think that’s one of the best things about experiencing it, and obviously not getting to where we wanted and finishing off how we wanted, but you experienced it and know what it’s like and know what it takes to get there. We’ve got to be even better because our standard from last year, if it just plays the same way, we won’t make it there.”
With Coach Mike Vrabel emphasizing a heightened sense of urgency for camp, Maye said the message resonates given how the schedule opens.
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“We start with week one, and I think that speaks for itself on a rematch,” Maye said. “I think we’ve got to bring our A game, and it starts in camp. It gives us a great mindset for camp of getting things going early and firing on all cylinders. We’ve got some tough work, but looking forward to it.”
Maye said the biggest difference from going through last season has been recognizing details that used to take longer to process.
“Understanding little things, going through the installs and understanding the little details that coach talks about, and knowing them before he tries to reiterate it to us,” Maye said. “One of the biggest things is just seeing plays that we’ve run against certain defenses over and over again. I think you understand better answers, better places to go with the football, and just better timing. That’s the nature of it.”
That improved processing ties directly into a point of emphasis from the coaching staff to play faster.
“I think you get in the right play first. Getting set under center, getting ready to get it in the gun, I think just moving faster,” Maye said. “We’ve got a good play that we like against the defense, and we train our guys: once we get down on the football and get set, we’re going. I think that’s the best thing.
“We did a lot of great things on offense last year,” he said. “We had a bunch of statistics that were high in the league. I think just creating more plays, snapping the ball earlier in the play clock, and getting some things going.”
Former star NFL wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, now a Patriots assistant coach, has been a notable presence in camp working with the young pass catchers, and Maye didn’t hide his admiration for the future Hall of Famer and former Clemson star.
“It’s cool to shake his hand,” Maye said. “His hands are twice as big as mine. To have him be out here and share some information, and just be a young adult and a great player in this league, a legendary player, to play at a high level and share some information is awesome.”
Hopkins backed up that reputation with a highlight-reel catch on the sideline during camp, something Maye said has become routine.
“It’s nothing new. You guys see it every, I mean, all year last year and the year before, and he just keeps doing things right,” Maye said. “He understands if he’s got something down the sideline and a ball down the field, that he’s got a chance that’s coming his way. Great catch, and I think that was the better start off camp with a little bit of a deep one. So, we were one for one to start.”
Maye also reflected on his growth in pass protection, an area he handled for a full season for the first time in 2025.
“Being on the same page, playing the game a little bit with some of these safeties or linebackers, [Robert] Spillane likes to move around and try to hop on different sides of the center to try to mess with us, and I think that’s good work for us to be on the same page,” Maye said. “The biggest thing is just being loud, being communicative, and the biggest thing for these guys is they hear me. These guys have been great, and just understanding pressure patterns is another thing, where they like to bring guys and why the front looks like that. Different things like that.”
Maye was also asked whether it’s become easier to be vocal and celebratory with teammates, something coaches pushed him to do more in previous seasons.
“It has to be. I think for me, the biggest thing I kept on saying last year was, I feel like I need to do something in this league before I start, and they kept on pushing me, said, ‘You got to expect that to happen,’ ” Maye said. “So, I definitely got some more comfort in that area of pushing the guys, and I think I need to do it more, celebrating and being louder and showing my personality more. I think the guys will see that naturally. I think that’s what camp’s for, and you build through it, and you get to new levels, and that’s the best thing about spending every day, all day with each other.”
Adjusting to a new center in Jared Wilson has been another point of emphasis. In March, New England traded center Garrett Bradbury to the Chicago Bears. During his rookie season, Wilson, a former Georgia lineman from Clemmons, played mostly at left guard. Maye took the blame for one hiccup during Saturday’s snapping work.
“The last snapping practice is my fault. I held the cadence a little long, but Jared is natural there,” Maye said. “You get to know a center for a year, and you get to know his little things and how he likes things, and if he’s going left and I’m going right, how it works and little under-center things and how he understands mic points. Jared’s smart, real smart.”
Maye lamented that he wanted Wilson to play with him at Carolina.
“He went to the SEC. I don’t blame him, but I think he’s done a great job of understanding what comes with playing center,” Maye said. “You got to be loud, you got to be, me and you, it’s our show. So, I think he’s done a great job of getting used to little things under center and how he likes to do silent cadence and stuff like that, but he’s got a great feel for the cadence, and Garrett did it last year, too, which is a great look for him.”
Maye said the roster will list him at 6–2, 225 pounds, but he was coy about all that entering the season.
“You guys won’t know if I gain or if I lose,” Maye said. “I think that’s the best part about having some inside information, so if you guys think I look like 230, I might be 220. It doesn’t matter. Our strength coach knows, so that’s what’s important.”
Maye again welcomed teammates to North Carolina, including new wide receiver A.J. Brown, for three days of workouts during the offseason.
“It was good to have those guys there. I think it’s huge in the offseason, right before camp, to get guys going. I feel like we had a good group and some good sessions, and it was fun work.”
The Patriots open preseason play on Aug. 13 at home against the Indianapolis Colts.
Tar Heels in NFL camps
Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver
Age 26 | 6–0, 195 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Second-string right wide receiver
Season statistics — 6 games, 2 starts, 9 catches, 94 yards (48 longest); 48.7 offensive grade, 51.2 pass grade, 60.8 run-block grade, 62.9 special-teams grade
Week 6 — 49ers 23, Commanders 17 (road on Monday) | didn’t start: 1 catch on 1 target, 6 yards; 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 33 offensive snaps (49%), 13 special-teams snaps (13%); 50.9 offensive grade, 51.2 pass grade, 60.8 run-block grade, 62.9 special-teams grade; 2.1 fantasy points
Week 7 — Open date
Week 8 — 8:20 Sunday vs. Philadelphia, NBC
Michael Carter, Tennessee Titans running back
Age 27 | 5–8, 201 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string running back
Season statistics — 2 games, 3 carries, 7 yards (3 longest); 1 catch on 1 target, 7 yards; 50.5 offensive grade, 68.3 pass grade, 51.3 pass-block grade, 46.1 run grade
Week 7 — Browns 27, Titans 24 (home) | 3 carries, 7 yards (3 longest); 1 catch on 1 target, 7 yards; 16 offensive snaps (25%); 50.5 offensive grade, 68.3 pass grade, 51.3 pass-block grade, 46.1 run grade; 2.4 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, CBS
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 25 | 5–9, 171 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
Season statistics — 7 games, 5 starts, 26 catches, 307 yards (42 longest); 1 carry, 7 yards; 72.2 offensive grade, 71.8 pass grade, 63.1 run grade, 59.1 run-block grade
Week 7 — Vikings 16, Colts 10 (road) | started: 2 catches on 4 targets, 18 yards (13 longest); 1 punt return, fair catch; 52 offensive snaps (85%); 2 special-teams snaps (9%); 66.2 offensive grade, 65.9 pass grade, 59.1 run-block grade; 3.8 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Jacksonville, CBS
Joshua Ezeudu, Kansas City Chiefs tackle/guard
Age 26 | 6–4, 310 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–21
Roster situation — Second-string left guard
Season statistics — 6 games, 1 start, 87 offensive snaps and 10 special-teams snaps; 57.3 offensive grade, 56.8 pass-blocking grade, 62.4 run-blocking grade; 61.1 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Seahawks 20, Chiefs 3 (road) | started (first start of season, 11th of his career; usual starters Jaylon Moore sidelined with a concussion); 53 offensive snaps (100%), 3 special-teams snaps (16%); season-low 51.7 offensive grade, season-low 51.0 pass-block grade, 51.0 run-block grade
Week 8 — 4:25 Sunday at Denver, CBS
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 23 | 6–2, 235 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 6 games, 2 starts, 15 tackles, 14 assists, ½ sack; 62.2 defensive grade, 63.7 run grade, 87.6 tackle grade, 52.7 pass-rush grade, 63.4 pass coverage grade
Week 7 — Browns 27, Titans 24 (home) | didn’t start: 2 tackles, 2 assists, 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 39 defensive snaps (56%), 17 special-teams snaps (63%); season-low 45.9 defensive grade, season-low 36.9 run defense grade, 77.5 tackle grade, 60.5 coverage grade; 3.5 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, CBS
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 23 | 6–0, 220 | second NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — Starting running back
Season statistics — 6 games, 4 starts, 80 carries, 289 yards, 3.6 average, 3 touchdowns; 9 catches, 56 yards (18 longest); 2 fumbles (2 lost); 62.2 offensive grade, 65.2 pass game grade, 80.5 pass-block grade, 60.9 run grade
Week 6 — Chiefs 22, Chargers 6 (road) | started: 7 carries, 18 yards (4 longest); 4 catches on 4 targets, 21 yards (15 longest); 34 offensive snaps (50%); 58.6 offensive grade, 65.9 pass grade, season-high 80.4 pass-block grade, 53.1 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade; 7.9 fantasy points
Week 7 — Open date
Week 8 — 4:05 Sunday at Los Angeles Rams, Fox
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 29 | 6–1, 240 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Second-string right inside linebacker
Season statistics — 7 games, 4 tackles, 4 assists; 63.6 defensive grade, 60.7 run grade, 71.7 tackle grade; 55.9 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Steelers 16, Saints 10 (Saint-Denis, France) | 1 assist; forced fumble; 2 defensive snaps (4%), 10 special-teams snaps (53%); season-high 75.7 defensive grade, 64.9 run grade, 71.7 tackle grade; 62.0 special-teams grade
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cleveland, CBS
Sam Howell, Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Backup quarterback
2024 season statistics with Seattle (didn’t play last season; hasn’t played this season); didn’t play in 2025 when with Philadelphia — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer grade; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 6 — Packers 23, Cowboys 13 (road) | didn’t play
Week 7 — 8:15 Monday at Philadelphia, ESPN
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Arizona, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 29 | 5–10, 191 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting cornerback
Season statistics — 7 games, 6 starts, 22 tackles, 11 assists, 4 passes defended; 49.1 defensive grade, 89.8 run grade, 62.0 tackle grade, 39.6 coverage grade
Week 7 — Falcons 29, 49ers 20 (home) | didn’t start: 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 pass defended; 17 defensive snaps (26%), 3 special-teams snaps (13%); season-high 89.4 defensive grade, 60.0 run grade, season-high 80.7 tackle grade, season-high 87.1 coverage grade; 2.5 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tampa Bay, Fox
Alijah Huzzie, Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback
Age 25 | 5–10, 195 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Reserve
Week 6 (season debut) — Texans 34, Jaguars 31 (in London) | 13 special-teams snaps (45%); 46.1 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Open date
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Indianapolis, CBS
Willie Lampkin, Philadelphia Eagles guard/center
Age 24 | 5–11, 290 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Second-string left guard
Season statistics — 6 games, 2 starts; 128 offensive snaps, 19 special-teams snaps; 54.2 offensive grade, 44.8 pass-blocking grade, 63.9 run-blocking grade
Week 6 — Panthers 25, Eagles 14 (home) | started: 64 offensive snaps (100%); season-high 66.4 offensive grade, season-high 66.9 pass-block grade; season-high 63.9 run-block grade
Week 7 — 8:15 Monday vs. Dallas, ESPN
Week 8 — 8:20 Sunday at Washington, NBC
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 23 | 6–4, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —Starting quarterback
Season statistics — 7 games, 7 starts, 141 of 214, 1,784 yards (8.3 average), 13 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 13 sacks (59 yards in losses), 96.4 passer grade; 38 carries, 211 yards, 5.6 average, 2 touchdowns; 5 fumbles (2 lost); 79.7 offensive grade, 77.5 pass grade, 63.4 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 7 — Bears 30, Patriots 24 (road on Thursday) | started: 24 of 31, 321 yards, 2 sacks (11 yards in losses), 2 TDs (48-yard pass to R. Stevenson as first half ended; 30-yard pass to E. Raridon, 3:46, third quarter), 1 interception, 117.8 passer grade; 4 carries, team-high 26 yards (15 longest), 1 TD (7-yard run,11:33, second quarter); 54 offensive snaps (100%); 74.8 offensive grade, 73.5 passer grade, 63.4 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade; 28.44 fantasy points
Week 8 — 4:25 Sunday at Miami, CBS
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 25 | 6–4, 307 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
Season statistics — 7 games, 317 offensive snaps, 16 special-teams snaps; 50.9 offensive grade, 49.0 pass-blocking grade, 59.8 run grade
Week 7 — Steelers 16, Saints 10 (Saint-Denis, France) | started: called for false start; 57 offensive snaps (100%), 3 special-teams snaps (16%); 55.4 offensive grade, 58.2 pass grade, 59.8 run grade
Week 8 — Open date
M.J. Stewart, Houston Texans safety
Age 30 | 5–11, 205 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2014–17
Roster situation — Second-string safety (activated from PUP list on Oct. 10)
Season statistics — 3 games, 1 start, 8 tackles, 7 assists, ½ sack, 1 pass defended; 49.9 defensive grade, 44.8 run defense grade, 43.9 tackle grade, 69.5 pass-rush grade, 61.2 coverage grade
Week 7 — Giants 27, Texans 21 (home) | started (regular starting safety Reed Blankenship out with a concussion and hand injury): 5 tackles, 7 assists, ½ sack, 1 QB hit, 1 pass defended; 63 defensive snaps (95%), 6 special-teams snaps (21%); 50.5 defensive grade, 31.6 run defense grade, 49.1 tackle grade, 69.5 pass-rush grade, 61.2 coverage grade; 10.5 fantasy points
Week 8 — Open date
Chazz Surratt, Seattle Seahawks linebacker
Age 29 | 6–2, 233 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 3 games, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist; 52.6 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Seahawks 20, Chiefs 3 (home) | not active for fourth consecutive game (calf injury)
Week 8 — 8:15 Monday vs. Chicago, ESPN
Mitch Trubisky, Tennessee Titans quarterback
Age 30 | 6–3, 222 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Cam Ward
2025 statistics with Buffalo (hasn’t played this season) — 4 games, 25 of 35, 313 yards (37 longest), 4 touchdowns, 1 2-point conversion completion; 9 carries, 6 yards (9 longest)
Week 7 — Browns 27, Titans 24 (home) | didn’t play
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, CBS
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–1, 198 | third NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Second-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 6 games, 2 starts, 4 catches, 75 yards (47 longest), 1 touchdown; 54.2 offensive grade, 55.4 pass grade, 71.4 run-block grade, 61.9 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Bengals 35, Ravens 13 (home) | didn’t start: no statistics; 20 offensive snaps (30%), 6 special-teams snaps (24%); 57.5 offensive grade, 53.4 pass grade, 71.4 run-block grade
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Buffalo, CBS
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 26 | 5–10, 220 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
Season statistics — 6 games, 6 starts, 85 carries, 317 yards (3.7 average), 7 touchdowns; 19 catches, 103 yards (17 longest), 5.4 average, 1 touchdown; 1 fumble (recovered); 69.8 offensive grade, 81.9 pass grade, 58.4 pass-block grade, 70.2 run grade
Week 6 — Packers 23, Cowboys 13 (road) | started: 11 carries, 41 yards (8 longest), 1 touchdown (1-yard run, 9:19, 3rd quarter); 2 catches on 2 targets, 9 yards (9 longest); 57 offensive snaps (73%); 67.7 offensive grade, season-low 63.4 pass grade, 54.6 pass-block grade, 70.2 run grade; 13.0 fantasy points
Week 7 — 8:15 Monday at Philadelphia, ESPN
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Arizona, Fox
On season-ending injured reserve
— New Orleans running back Ty Chandler; suffered a knee injury in the second preseason game; ran for 45 yards in two preseason games
On injured reserve
— Houston running back British Brooks (hamstring injury)
— New York Giants rookie cornerback Thaddeus Dixon (torn Achilles)
— New England wide receiver Mack Hollins (calf injury)
On practice squads
— Los Angeles Rams center Austin Blaske; played every offensive snap of all three preseason games
— Minnesota defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie; had four tackles and three assists in 77 total preseason snaps
— Baltimore linebacker Kaimon Rucker; had 5 tackles, 1 assist, 1 sack (6 yards), 2 tackles for losses and 1 quarterback hit in their 41–3 preseason win Friday
Waived
— Cornerback Marcus Allen (with injury settlement) by Minnesota; had 2 tackles, 1 assist in 45 preseason snaps
— Cornerback Storm Duck by Miami
— Linebacker Power Echols by Seattle
— Linebacker Tomon Fox by Los Angeles Rams; had 28 tackles and 13 special-teams tackles in two preseason games
— Linebacker Amari Gainer by New England; had 4 tackles and two assists in three preseason games
— Offensive lineman Charlie Heck by the Miami Dolphins
— Defensive end Smith Vilbert by Minnesota; had one tackle in 47 preseason snaps
Waived with injury designation
— Tight end Bryson Nesbit by Minnesota after collecting 3 catches for 29 yards in two preseason games; had been listed as fifth string
Photo via @patriots
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