The New England Patriots’ season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders wasn’t the culture-reset Mike Vrabel had promised, and it left fans torn on what to make of second-year quarterback Drake Maye.

On paper, his 30-of-46 for 287 yards and a touchdown looks serviceable, but the performance itself was streaky—flashes of promise followed by frustrating misses. That inconsistency sparked the early whispers of doubt, though local reporters have pushed back, reminding everyone it’s far too soon to judge a quarterback one game into a 17-week grind.

Maye himself didn’t sugarcoat things. “Particularly ones where I feel like I had guys open,” he admitted about the throws he wanted back. “Accuracy is one of the biggest things at quarterback, so being accurate is what I take pride in, and you can’t miss open guys.” It wasn’t a meltdown, just the kind of uneven debut expected from a rookie who’ll need the right system and patience to grow into his role.

This has led to some interesting chatter around the Patriots’ facility, igniting a discussion on his performance on whether the QB has had too much on his plate. “Some people with the building see ##Patriots QB Drake Maye “a little bit closer to a rookie” rather than a QB in his second year,” per Andrew Callahan.

Callahan says this is important context in regard to how the team treats Maye and views his performance. @PatsInterferenc). Suggesting that the team isn’t panicking; they’re still in development mode with him, which might explain their patience.

The game against the Miami Dolphins is a huge test… And Maye’s trying to hold his own up until the half time where the scoreline’s tipping in the favor of the Pats, by 15 – 14. 

Drake Maye is leading under center…so far

Drake Maye and the Patriots look nothing like the flat group that stumbled in Week 1. In Miami, Maye opened with a sharp 10-play, 68-yard drive capped by his first Patriots touchdown pass to Mack Hollins. He followed it up with more poise, threading a strike to TreVeyon Henderson and watching Kayshon Boutte haul in a highlight-reel, one-handed grab for a second score. By the end of the first quarter, New England had Miami chasing shadows, with Maye nearly flawless at 7-for-8 with 89 yards, two touchdowns, and 19 yards rushing.

The Dolphins answered with an 83-yard drive finished by a Jaylen Waddle touchdown, but Maye and company didn’t blink. They strung together a 15-play march of their own, leaning on Austin Hooper’s reliability and a burst from Rhamondre Stevenson before rookie Andy Borregales finally steadied himself with a 22-yard field goal. Even with Borregales missing two extra points earlier, the Patriots carried a 15-7 lead into halftime, looking like a team far more comfortable under Mike Vrabel’s watch.

It’s only Week 2, but the contrast is glaring: New England’s offense is efficient, composed, and confident in its young quarterback. Against a Dolphins squad still reeling from its own Week 1 debacle, Maye’s command has been the early storyline. For now, he is proving he can handle the spotlight under center—and the Patriots are playing with a swagger that was missing last week.