Is Drake Maye hiding a shoulder issue? Patriots insiders raise questions as quarterback struggles against the Jacksonville Jaguars

Drake Maye’s shoulder has once again become a talking point after the New England Patriots quarterback struggled badly against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3. Maye threw two interceptions, lost a fumble and finished with 199 passing yards in the 35-6 defeat.The Patriots have not indicated that Maye is dealing with a current shoulder injury. Still, his past issue and recent throwing problems have opened the door to fresh questions about what is really affecting his game. Drake Maye’s shoulder concerns questioned after Patriots’ Week 3 collapseMaye’s shoulder issue dates back to the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos last season. He later needed a pain-killing injection to play against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX. He did not undergo surgery during the offseason.That history has made his recent comments worth watching. Speaking on WEEI’s “Rich and Ken with Ted Johnson” podcast after a game, Maye said soreness comes with playing football and insisted there was nothing specific bothering him.“I mean, any time that you come out from a game and you’re sore, everybody’s dealing with things from the game,” Maye said on the podcast. “I wouldn’t say that it’s anything in particular.”However, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel offered an even clearer response when asked about Maye’s shoulder. During his September 28 press conference, Vrabel said he was not aware of an injury that would have put Maye on the injury report or required treatment.That has shifted attention from the shoulder to Maye’s mechanics. Greg A. Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal discussed the situation on his Patriots podcast after the Jacksonville loss. Bedard said people around the Patriots were “befuddled” by Maye’s comments about his shoulder and suggested that people around the quarterback could be “baking in an excuse” for his throwing.Bedard also pointed to Maye’s footwork. He said the quarterback rarely throws from a strong base and appears to guide the ball instead of letting it go freely. Drake Maye and Patriots now faces another major test in Week 4The Jacksonville loss gave those concerns more fuel. Maye completed 14 of 25 passes for 199 yards and had no touchdowns. He threw an interception from near the goal line in the second quarter after rolling right and trying to find Efton Chism III.Travis Hunter intercepted that pass after reading Maye’s decision.Maye then threw another interception in the third quarter while targeting Kyle Williams. Jarrian Jones made the pick, adding to a night where Jacksonville repeatedly punished New England for mistakes.Maye also fumbled twice and lost one. He took three sacks before Tommy DeVito replaced him late in the fourth quarter.The bigger concern stretches beyond one bad afternoon. Maye entered Week 4 with seven total turnovers through three games, giving the Patriots another problem to solve alongside their offensive struggles.Now comes the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots face the undefeated Bills in Week 4, giving Maye a chance to answer some of the questions surrounding his early-season form.Currently, there is no confirmed indication that his shoulder is causing the problems. The Patriots have pointed away from an injury, while Maye’s mechanics and decision-making have provided more obvious reasons for his struggles.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.