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
Marcus Allen, Minnesota Vikings cornerback
Age 22 | 6–1, 197 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2022–25
Roster situation — Third string right cornerback
2025 statistics (UNC) —12 games, 29 tackles, 7 assists, 2 tackles for losses, 0.5 of a sack, 8 passes defended
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at New York Giants
Season opener — 4:15 Sept. 13 vs. Green Bay, CBS
Austin Blaske, Los Angeles Rams center
Age 24 | 6–5, 310 | rookie season | UNC 2024–25
Roster situation — Third-string center
2025 statistics (UNC) —9 games
Preseason opener — 4 p.m. Aug. 15 at Kansas City, NFL Network
Season opener — 8:35 Sept. 10 vs. San Francisco in East Melbourne, Australia, Netflix
British Brooks, Houston Texans running back
Age 26 | 5–11, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — First-string fullback
2025 statistics —13 games, 17 carries, 787 yards (20 longest); 5 special-teams tackles, 5 special-teams assists
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Buffalo, CBS
Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver
Age 26 | 6–0, 195 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Second-string left wide receiver
2025 statistics (Jacksonville) — 17 games, 7 starts, 23 catches, 220 yards (39 longest), 9.9 average, 1 TD, 1 fumble (lost); 5 carries, 26 yards (9 longest); 4 kickoff returns, 106 yards (31 longest)
Preseason opener — 7 p.m. Aug. 13 vs. Miami
Season opener — 4:25 Sept. 13 at Philadelphia, Fox
Michael Carter, Tennessee Titans running back
Age 27 | 5–8, 201 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Fourth-string running back
2025 statistics (Arizona) — 14 games, 5 starts, 92 carries, 331 yards (22 longest), 1 touchdown; 33 catches on 39 targets, 267 yards (18 longest); 1 kickoff return, 27 yards; 1 tackle
Preseason opener — 9 p.m. Aug. 13 at San Francisco, NFL Network
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. New York Jets, CBS
Ty Chandler, New Orleans Saints running back
Age 27 | 5–11, 204 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2021
Roster situation — Fifth-string running back; fourth-string kick returner
2025 statistics (Minnesota) — 3 games, 17 carries, 47 yards (5 longest); 3 catches on 4 targets, 11 yards (3.7 average; 11 longest); 1 assist on punt coverage
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at New York Giants
Season opener — 4:25 Sept. 13 vs. Green Bay, CBS
Thaddeus Dixon, New York Giants cornerback
Age 24 | 6–0, 195 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2025
Roster situation — On season-ending injured reserve after suffering a torn Achilles during rookie minicamp in May
2025 statistics (UNC) —7 games, 13 tackles, 6 assists, 2 tackles for losses, 6 passes defended
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 24 | 5–9, 171 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
2025 statistics — 16 games, 11 starts, 58 catches, 566 yards (34 longest), 4 touchdowns; 2 rush, -2 yards; 7 punt returns, 68 yards; 2 tackles
Preseason opener — 7:30 Aug. 13 at New England
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Baltimore, CBS
Joshua Ezeudu, New York Giants tackle/guard
Age 26 | 6–4, 310 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–21
Roster situation — Third-string left tackle
2025 statistics — Missed season with a severe calf injury suffered during training camp (played 17 games in 2024)
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 25 vs. Minnesota
Season opener — 8:20 Sept. 13 vs. Dallas, NBC
Tomon Fox, Los Angeles Rams linebacker
Age 28 | 6–3, 260 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2016–21
Roster situation — Third-string right outside linebacker
2025 statistics (Giants) —9 games, 5 tackles
Preseason opener — 4 p.m. Aug. 15 at Kansas City, NFL Network
Season opener — 8:35 Sept. 10 vs. San Francisco in East Melbourne, Australia, Netflix
Amari Gainer, New England Patriots linebacker
Age 26 | 6–3, 240 | second NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Fourth-string left inside linebacker
2025 statistics (Las Vegas) —17 games, 3 tackles, 3 assists, 2 solo tackles
Preseason opener — 7:30 Aug. 13 vs. Indianapolis
Season opener — 8:30 Sept. 9 at Seattle, NBC
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 23 | 6–2, 235 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting weakside linebacker
2025 statistics — 16 games, 15 starts, 94 tackles, 65 assists, 7 tackles for losses, 1 sack for 7 yards, 3 passes defended, 2 quarterback pressures, 1 quarterback hit, 2 special-teams tackles, 2 fumble recoveries
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 at San Francisco, NFL Network
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. New Your Jets, CBS
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 23 | 6–0, 220 | second NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — Starting running back
2025 statistics — 9 games, 6 starts, 124 carries, 545 yards (54 longest), 4.4 average, 4 touchdowns; 32 catches, 192 yards (22 longest), 1 touchdown; 1 fumble recovery
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 at Houston
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Buffalo, CBS
Charlie Heck, Miami Dolphins offensive lineman
Age 29 | 6–8, 311 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Second-string right tackle
2025 statistics (Tampa Bay)— 18 games, 1 tackle, 701 offensive snaps, 642 special-teams snaps
Preseason opener — 7 p.m. Aug. 14 at Washington
Season opener — 4:25 Sept. 13 at Los Angeles Raiders, Fox
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 29 | 6–1, 240 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Second-string right inside linebacker
2025 statistics — 12 games, 3 starts, 19 tackles, 11 assists, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 3 special-teams assists
Preseason opener — 7 p.m. Aug. 13 vs. Green Bay, NFL Network
Season opener —1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Atlanta, Fox
Mack Hollins, New England Patriots wide receiver
Age 32 | 6–4, 221 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Starting right wide receiver
2025 statistics — 15 games, 47 catches, 550 yards, 12.0 average, 54 longest, 2 touchdowns
Preseason opener — 7:30 Aug. 13 vs. Indianapolis
Season opener — 8:30 Sept. 9 at Seattle, NBC
Sam Howell, Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Third-string quarterback
2024 season statistics (Seattle Seahawks); didn’t play in 2025 when with Philadelphia — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 15 at Seattle, NFL Network
Season opener — 8:20 Sept. 13 at New York Giants, NBC
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 29 | 5–10, 191 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
Season statistics — 12 games, 38 tackles, 11 assists, 1 interception
Preseason opener — 7 p.m. Aug. 14 vs. Denver
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at Pittsburgh, Fox
Alijah Huzzie, Houston Texans cornerback
Age 25 | 5–10, 195 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Second-string nickelback
2025 statistics — 2 games, 3 tackles, 1 pass defended, 1 interception, 1 assist on kickoff coverage
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Buffalo, CBS
Willie Lampkin, Philadelphia Eagles guard/center
Age 24 | 5–11, 290 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Third-string center
2025 statistics (Eagles) —Didn’t play; went on injured reserve in late August
Preseason opener — 7 p.m. Aug. 15 at Baltimore
Season opener — 4:25 Sept. 13 vs. Washington, Fox
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 23 | 6–4, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —Starting quarterback
2025 statistics — 17 games, 17 starts, 354 of 492, 4,494 (72 longest), 71.9%, 31 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 47 sacks (201 yards in losses), 113.5 rating; 103 carries, 450 yards (28 longest), 4 touchdowns; 1 two-point conversion run; 3 fumbles (2 lost, 1 recovered)
Preseason opener — 7:30 Aug. 13 vs. Indianapolis
Season opener — 8:30 Sept. 9 at Seattle, NBC
Bryson Nesbit, Minnesota Vikings tight end
Age 23 | 6–5, 228 | second NFL season | UNC 2021–24
Roster situation — Fifth-string running back
2025 statistics — Spent season on practice squad
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at New York Giants
Season opener — 4:15 Sept. 13 vs. Green Bay, 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
2025 statistics — 15 games, 4 starts, 359 offensive snaps, 53 special-teams snaps
Preseason opener — 4 p.m. Aug. 15 vs. Jacksonville
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at Detroit, Fox
Jahvaree Ritzie, Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle
Age 23 | 6–4, 294 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — Fourth-string defensive tackle
2025 statistics (New England) —Spent season on practice squad
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at New York Giants
Season opener — 4:15 Sept. 13 vs. Green Bay, CBS
Kaimon Rucker, Baltimore Ravens linebacker
Age 24 | 6–2, 265 | second NFL season | UNC 2020–24
Roster situation — Third-string right outside linebacker
2025 statistics — Spent season on practice squad
reseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 vs. Philadelphia
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at Indianapolis, CBS
M.J. Stewart, Houston Texans safety
Age 30 | 5–11, 205 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2014–17
Roster situation — Third-string free safety
2025 statistics — 9 games, no statistics
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Buffalo, CBS
Chazz Surratt, Seattle Seahawks linebacker
Age 29 | 6–2, 233 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string weakside linebacker
2025 statistics — 11 games, 4 tackles
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 14 vs. Dallas, NFL Network
Season opener — 8:20 Sept. 9 vs. New England, NBC
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 (Buffalo) — 4 games, 25 of 35, 313 yards (37 longest), 4 touchdowns, 1 2-point conversion completion; 9 carries, 6 yards (9 longest)
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 at San Francisco, NFL Network
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. New Your Jets, CBS
Smith Vilbert, Minnesota Vikings defensive end
Age 25 | 6–6, 282 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2025
Roster situation — Third-string defensive end
2025 statistics (UNC) —12 games, 11 tackles, 11 assists, 6 tackles for losses, 1 sack, 2 passes defended, 2 fumble recoveries
reseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at New York Giants
Season opener — 4:15 Sept. 13 vs. Green Bay, CBS
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–1, 198 | third NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Starting right wide receiver
2025 statistics — 11 games, 2 starts, 6 catches, 136 yards (38 longest), 3 touchdowns; 1 tackle, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 2 QB hit, 2 special-teams assists
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 vs. Philadelphia
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at Indianapolis, CBS
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 26 | 5–10, 220 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
2025 statistics — 16 games, 16 starts, 252 carries, 1,201 yards (4.8 average; 66 longest), 11 touchdowns; 35 catches, 137 yards (3.9 average; 14 longest), 2 touchdowns
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 15 at Seattle, NFL Network
Season opener — 8:20 Sept. 13 at New York Giants, NBC
Photo via @patriots
