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Even after two interceptions, 10 points in 59 minutes and an injury to their top wide receiver, the Patriots had their 2026 season-opener right in front of them with 30 seconds remaining.
Trailing 13-10 after a run of Seahawks turnovers, a touchdown and two field goals, Drake Maye got New England deep into Seattle territory, able to tie it up with a field goal. Instead, when Maye fired a dangerous pass into the end zone, the Patriots never got that chance to force overtime.
Josh Jobe's interception in the end zone sealed Seattle's 13-10 win in Wednesday's Super Bowl rematch, also marking Maye's first career three-interception game. Postgame, both Maye and Mike Vrabel reacted to a rough night for the quarterback.
Here's what Vrabel had to say about Maye's turnovers and the Patriots' missed opportunity in Week 1.
MORE: The latest on A.J. Brown's injury status
Mike Vrabel assesses Drake Maye’s ‘reckless’ final drive in Patriots vs. Seahawks
It was on a 3rd & 5 with under 30 seconds remaining that the Patriots sealed their fate — Maye's errant pass into the end zone was snagged by Jobe, who got his feet inbounds to seal a comeback win for the Seahawks.
Postgame, Vrabel kept it rather simple.
"You can’t throw three interceptions," Vrabel said. "Drake knows that.”
Mike Vrabel: “You can’t throw three interceptions. Drake knows that.” pic.twitter.com/GB7lOvLLQW
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) September 10, 2026He also described the entire final drive as "reckless."
“I mean we're trying to be aggressive and obviously win the football game but not reckless," Vrabel said. "But we'll have to learn from it and, you know, stick together. Never just about one guy. I think everybody knows that by now.”
Mike Vrabel on Patriots last drive of game:
“I mean we're trying to be aggressive and obviously win the football game but not reckless…But we'll have to learn from it and you know stick together. Never just about one guy. I think everybody knows that by now.”
“We want to be aggressive, not reckless.” — Mike Vrabel, on the final drive pic.twitter.com/yMERn3S53c
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 10, 2026The turnover differential was something Vrabel repeatedly mentioned in his postgame press conference.
"We can’t turn the ball over and we have to create more turnovers," he said. "Broken record, but we have to be great in that situation."
Mike Vrabel: “We have to create more turnovers and we can’t turn the ball over.” pic.twitter.com/roHkXoNAOg
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) September 10, 2026
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