Vrabel says Drake Maye has no lingering shoulder issue; Patriots to focus on basics after loss at Jacksonville
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said Monday he is not aware of any lingering shoulder problem for quarterback Drake Maye after reporters asked whether such an issue dated back to the Denver game. Vrabel said he did not know of anything that would have put Maye on the injury report and described the quarterback’s postgame routine as normal maintenance and prehab. He added that hits occur in games but he did not anticipate the issue being a factor going forward.
Vrabel said the staff will review where the team fell short and will focus on fundamentals and rebuilding confidence this week. He pointed to some positives, including improved protection, a sideline completion to DeMario Douglas and a pressure that produced an interception. He also noted a tipped pass as an encouraging play on defense.
The coach cited special-teams mistakes, a missed field goal and red-zone breakdowns that allowed Jacksonville to convert efficiently. He noted the Jaguars went 5-for-5 in the red zone and said the game “got away from us” after a series of mistakes and turnovers. Vrabel suggested the score could have been closer early, saying it “could have been 14-9 easily.”
On Maye’s confidence, Vrabel emphasized preparation and repetition as the path to steadiness under pressure. “Confidence comes from your preparation,” he said, calling for practice to replicate game situations so players can execute. He described his one-on-one sideline conversations as part of getting the best performance out of each player during games.
Vrabel said coaches will weigh simplifying the scheme against maintaining a varied playbook to preserve balance between execution and creativity. He stressed the need to build an identity before trying to protect it and said the staff plans to work on red-zone defense during Friday practice. He added the week’s practice tempo will depend on the health of the roster and workload considerations.
On the offensive line rotation, Vrabel confirmed Walter Rouse had worked into the lineup while Ben Brown was expected to serve as center and first left guard when healthy. He said Rouse “competed” despite some mistakes and that additional testing was pending for Greg Van Roten. Vrabel also noted that 24 of the 54 players on the game-day roster were in their first season with the team and stressed the need for emerging leaders.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Vrabel’s comments leave no indication of a physical setback for Drake Maye and place the emphasis on execution, situational fundamentals and confidence rebuilding. The coach identified concrete areas to target in practice: red-zone defensive reps, situational offense near the goal line and special-teams discipline. Watch the interior offensive-line rotation, because continuity up front will affect both pass protection and short-yardage scoring chances as the Patriots try to correct the miscues Vrabel outlined.