What's wrong with Drake Maye? Four reasons why Patriots QB is struggling mightily with turnovers

Drake Maye is struggling as the New England Patriots' starting quarterback early in the 2026 NFL season. Call it a Super Bowl losing hangover, call it a "junior slump", but it's been a turnover mess for the third-year QB through three games.

The Patriots fell to 1-2, getting pounded by the Jaguars 35-6 in Jacksonville on Sunday. For the first time in more than two seasons, they failed to score a touchdown in a loss.

Maye's play was a big culprit. He was responsible for three more turnovers. First, he was sacked and lost a fumble late in the first quarter. Right before halftime, working from the Jaguars' 2, he threw a bad high pass that was intercepted in the end zone by Travis Hunter. He threw a second INT late in the third quarter that set up a Jaguars red zone TD.

That added up to a 21-point swing in a game the Patriots lost by 29 points. Maye was spared more woes by being pulled in the fourth quarter. 

For the season, Maye is up to seven turnovers, after having only 11 of last season, his sophomore breakout with the Patriots that led the team to the AFC championship. He is up to an NFL-high six interceptions. Maye is already up to three-fourths of his 7-game INT total (8) from 2025.

Had Maye protected the ball, there's a good chance the outcomes in Seattle in Week 1 (a 13-10 loss) and Jacksonville in Week 3 would have been different. The Patriots only survived Pittsburgh in Week 2 (20-13 win) because their own defense made big plays.

So what's up with Maye not protecting the ball well all of a sudden? Here's breaking down his woes and whether he can get it right soon:

MORE NFL WEEK 1:

• Inside Drake Maye's turnover troubles
• Chargers, Texans and more teams to fall in 0-3 hole
• Mike Vrabel explains why concern is 'high' for Pats
• How Bills survived 5-turnover day to stay undefeated

Four reasons why Drake Maye is struggling with turnovers

Drake Maye is still feeling a ton of pressure

Maye was sacked 47 times last season, or a little shy of averaging getting dropped three times per game. Maye has been sacked nine times in three games, with neither the pass protection nor his pass-rush awareness improving.

Thanks to Maye's athleticism, he's been able to limit the hits. But he also is rushing his passes and not being able to be so comfortable inside the pocket.

Drake Maye is missing a reliable go-to receiver

Mack Hollins shouldn't be the Patriots' most productive target. But with Stefon Diggs gone to Washington and A.J. Brown hurt, there's no one Maye can trust to get open quickly. Hollins and Romeo Doubs are more downfield-oriented threats. Demario Douglas and Kyle Williams aren't consistent enough in the short area.

The Patriots also have struggled to adjust but not getting Hunter Henry and the tight ends involved enough. Maye has become too dependent on getting the big-play success he had last season with his natural deep ball accuracy.

Maye completed an incredible 72 percent of his pass attempts and still managed to average a robust 8.9 yards per attempt in 2025. Going into Jacksonville, Maye was at 67.3 and 7.0. He was only at 56 percent against the Jaguars, taking away from the 8.0 YPA. Brown is a big target who helps on third downs and in the red zone, on top of getting vertical. 

The Patriots made the blockbuster deal for Brown knowing just how much Maye needed that type of No. 1. Brown's high ankle sprain suffered in Week 1 has been a bigger blow than anticipated. He can't help Maye until at least late October, so offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels must adjust so Maye doesn't press himself into mistakes.

MORE: Drake Maye opens up about 'unaccepetable' play as of late

Drake Maye needs the running game to operate at a higher levels

The Patriots rushed 26 times for only 83 yards against the Jaguars, averaging only 3.2 yards per attempt. In Week 1 against the Seahawks, they ran 31 times for 109 yards, averaging only 3.5 yards per attempt. In the Week 2 win against the Steelers, they ran 28 times for 136 yards, averaging 4.9 yards per attempt while also getting some long runs from TreyVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson.

McDaniels does well to keep the Patriots' offense balanced by staying committed to the run. But he needs a lot more effective volume to take pressure off Maye. That will also help the offensive line get out of its protection funk by being more assertive downhill. With Maye's slump, the Patriots can be beaten if an opponent can stop the run. 

The Bills have issues stopping the run and the Patriots must exploit this to get better results from Maye in Week 4.

MORE: Watch Drake Maye's baffling fumble that sums up turnover issues

Drake Maye has faced some real impact pass defenses early

Much was made of how favorable the Patriots' schedule was last season. In relation, facing the Seahawks, Steelers and Jaguars — all strong playoff-caliber teams with good pass rushers and cover men — has been a brutal early draw. The Bills are a vulnerable defense coming up next, but they also are an active pressure-and-takeaway-minded group under new coordinator Jim Leonhard.

In the back-to-back Raiders and Jets games at home, the Patriots will face two teams much improved vs. the pass. The "break" for Maye won't really come until Weeks 7 and 8, when the Patriots face the Bears and Dolphins in consecutive road games.

With 3-0 Buffalo next, New England needs immediate 2025-like play from Maye or risk losing any early shot at repeating as AFC East champion and digging a deeper hole in trying to just return to the playoffs.