Patriots coach says Drake Maye improved after early mistakes

Drake Maye has played two very different halves of the 2026 season for the New England Patriots. Through the first three weeks, the quarterback threw seven interceptions while the team sat with a 1-2 record. In the four games since, Maye has thrown just three interceptions and the Patriots have won three of those contests.

The change in performance has drawn praise from the coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said Thursday that Maye has maintained a tremendous approach all year. McDaniels noted that while mistakes are initially a gut punch for any player, the game is played over 60 minutes and is rarely decided by a single quarter.

McDaniels said Maye now understands that every error reduces the margin for error in the game. This awareness, the coach argued, has sharpened the quarterback's focus during play. Maye’s ability to reset quickly after a bad drive has become a defining trait of his recent outings.

The coach also pointed to Maye’s behavior on the sideline as a sign of maturity. McDaniels said it takes a mature young player to continue leading teammates after making a mistake. He emphasized that a quarterback must keep their voice strong in the huddle and on the bench, even when the game is not going well.

“You can’t lose your voice when you make a mistake playing quarterback in the NFL because you’re probably going to do that each week,” McDaniels said. He added that Maye has learned to motivate and encourage his teammates effectively in those moments.

The most recent example came in Week 7 against the Bears. Maye threw a costly interception in the second quarter of that loss. However, he recovered on his next two drives, throwing touchdown passes to keep the Patriots competitive. That ability to respond to adversity is what McDaniels sees in the quarterback's current form.

The Patriots will look to continue this momentum as the season progresses. Maye’s turnover rate has dropped significantly in recent weeks. His leadership style has evolved from reactive to steady, according to the team's offensive mind.