Patriots’ Struggles Continue in 2026 Season

It might feel like ages since the New England Patriots made their unexpected run to Super Bowl LX, but for the players in the locker room, it’s likely a whole different story. Presently, just three games into the 2026 season, the Patriots find themselves at a lackluster 1-2, having just dealt with what quarterback Drake Maye described as three “unacceptable” weeks of play. In a recent game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, which was supposed to showcase two potential AFC playoff contenders, Maye had a particularly tough outing. He threw two interceptions, lost a perplexing fumble, and, frankly, looked nothing like the player who was once in the MVP running last season.

Maye’s first interception came during the last snap of a 10-play drive when the Patriots faced a 3rd-and-goal situation deep in Jaguars territory. With New England trailing 14-3 late in the first half—and about to receive the second-half kickoff—a field goal might not have been the worst outcome. However, instead of playing it safe, Maye tried to force a throw under pressure, which was picked off by Travis Hunter, marking the first interception of his career.

This choice drew parallels to Maye’s earlier reflections after the season-opening loss against the Seattle Seahawks, where he acknowledged feeling “impatient” during the second half, leading to three crucial turnovers. That same impatience seemed evident in his decision-making here, as he attempted far too much in a single moment rather than opting for a field goal that could keep his team competitive at halftime.

Things took a turn for the worse for him in the third quarter. On another critical throw to Kyle Williams, he was heavily pressured; unfortunately, he directed the throw inside, which allowed Jarrian Jones to snag his second interception of the day. At this point, Maye’s impatience seemed to boil over. The numbers paint a grim picture: in three games this season, he has thrown six interceptions, equaling a franchise record first set by Drew Bledsoe in 1994.

This season has also seen him manage just one touchdown pass, which occurred in the first half against Seattle. The repercussions of those turnovers were evident in the Jaguars game—his first interception resulted in a long field goal attempt by Jacksonville, which, thankfully for the Patriots, missed. But right after Maye’s second interception, the Jaguars swiftly scored, extending their lead to an overwhelming 28-3.

That score, on that day, felt pretty insurmountable. Looking back to Week 1, it’s clear this isn’t just a recent problem. Two of Maye’s interceptions that night directly led to points for Seattle, with the Seahawks converting one into a touchdown and the other into a field goal that gave them a 13-10 lead. His last interception, which occurred in the end zone, ultimately crushed any chance for a New England comeback.

After the game, Maye took responsibility for the team’s struggles, calling the offensive performance over the past three weeks “unacceptable.” So, what exactly is going awry with Maye and the Patriots’ offense? Andrew Callahan, who’s studied Maye’s recent plays, pointed out some difficulties with Cover 6 defenses that opponents have thrown at him.

But beyond just a specific coverage issue, it seems like there’s a deeper concern. Callahan remarked from the press box during the game that Maye is pressing too hard. Instead of letting the game come to him, he’s trying to do too much with each pass and should instead consider settling for safer options, like throwing the ball away.

This impatience can be a killer, especially when things don’t seem to go your way on the field. The tension reaches into coaching as well. For Patriots fans, there might be a glimmer of hope—after all, the 1994 team that saw Bledsoe throw three interceptions in the early season also started 1-2. That team managed to recover, finishing at 10-6 and clinching a playoff spot after winning in Weeks 4 and 5.

Can this team find a similar path? They’ll be up against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills next week, and Maye will need to find a way to avoid that quicksand for any chance at success.