Drake Maye, the New England Patriots’ quarterback, fumbled eight times during the 2025 season. This performance helped lead the team to a 14-3 record and secured the second seed in the AFC. Although tied for sixth-most fumbles among NFL quarterbacks, Maye’s fumble rate per game was lower than that of other mobile quarterbacks, including Jalen Hurts and Caleb Williams.
Postseason Struggles: A Shift in Performance
As the playoffs began, Maye encountered difficulties against fierce pass rushes. He fumbled six times during the Wild Card and Divisional Rounds, despite the Patriots’ defense carrying them to the Super Bowl. Remarkably, he did not turn the ball over in the snowy AFC Championship Game against a strong Denver Broncos defense.
Understanding the Causes of Drake Maye’s Frequent Fumbles
- Increased Pressure: Maye faced more pressure in the playoffs compared to the regular season.
- Defensive Matchups: Dynamic edge rushers from teams like the Chargers and Broncos challenged him significantly.
- Fall in Sacks: Maye was sacked on 8.7% of his dropbacks in the regular season, which increased to 16.3% during the playoffs.
The Patriots’ relatively easy season schedule saw them face mostly average to good defenses. The offensive line, featuring rookie Will Campbell and veteran Morgan Moses, improved as the season progressed. However, during critical playoff matches, Maye struggled to manage pressure effectively.
Impact of Edge Rusher Pressure
Several edge rushers, including Nik Bonitto and Will Anderson Jr., regularly penetrated Maye’s pocket, leading to a significant increase in fumbles. While he occasionally managed to pull the ball back, the number of hits taken was alarming. The bulk of the fumbles resulted from pressure rather than poor decision-making.
Looking Ahead: Super Bowl 60 Challenges
The upcoming Super Bowl matchup against the Seattle Seahawks presents significant challenges for Maye. The Seahawks ranked fourth in pressure rate during the regular season, and they mastered forcing fumbles. They managed to recover only seven of the nine forced fumbles throughout the season, a stark contrast to the Patriots’ playoff experience.
Demarcus Lawrence, a key player on the Seahawks defense, will certainly be in Maye’s sights. The Patriots must focus on turning the tables to create opposition turnovers, a stark shift from their experiences leading to the Super Bowl.
