1. After a week of amateur neurologists all over New England weighing in on the state of the Pats starting QB situation, it appears Sunday that after all it’s gonna be Maye.
Early Saturday afternoon the New England Patriots announced that Drake Maye had cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol, with multiple reports confirming that the team will in fact start him against the Titans. Maye cleared the five stages of the NFL’s concussion protocol, with reports daily from beat writers as to what phase of the protocol Maye was in following the glancing blow to the head on a scramble last Sunday vs. the Jets.
Maye stayed in the game for a few more plays before NFL spotters called for departure and examination, which led to his removal before halftime. Coach Jerod Mayo said he spoke with Maye at the half and said he seemed good, wanting to go back in the game but to no avail as Jacoby Brissett carried the team to a come from behind victory.
As Maye progressed through the five stages during the week, Jacoby Brissett took QB1 reps, with Joe Milton the backup (and did you know Hunter Henry would have been their emergency QB?). Maye’s trajectory seemed very positive but there was no way to know until a final declaration was made by the team and an independent neurologist. Now Brissett reverts to backup and Milton the emergency QB in Nashville.
With the rookie QB from UNC seeming to progress well through the week, the question seemed to change from “Will Maye clear the protocol for play?” to “Will the Patriots play him?” Wondering if the team would take an overly cautious approach with their franchise centerpiece, just three starts into his career and already a bit dinged up, made sense. Sure, it’s a violent game, a contact sport, and these things happen…but would the team be sensitive to the idea he could get hurt sooner and give him more time to rest?
Fans wanted to see the kid out there if he was cleared, and he is, so here we go! Maye makes the game, already a bit of a lower tier affair with a 2-6 at a 1-6 team, more appealing thanks to his dynamic playmaking ability. Though his insertion into the starting lineup didn’t affect the point spread much, anticipation for the game will definitely crank up now with his activation.
So what about the planning and how Maye will be deployed? Mayo said on Friday the game plan wasn’t much different for Brissett or Maye, so if and when Maye was cleared the Pats wouldn’t have to drastically alter plans. That almost leads one to believe they didn’t have a number of designed runs in mind, seeing as that’s not Brissett’s strength. As to how they coach Maye to approach the game is a different story. Pockets break down, running lanes present themselves…will Maye be coached to avoid contact and not run? His instincts and escapability are part of the entire package that led the Pats to invest such a high pick in the Carolina kid. Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said you’d hate to take away a skill like Maye’s speed and running talent but he also has to do everything he can to keep his rookie safe, hence why no designed run calls thus far.
So what can we expect from Maye? More throwaways as opposed to looking for lanes to make escapes and get first downs? Possibly so. While the team won’t want him to sit in a potentially collapsing pocket and be an immobile target, you have to imagine this will be what we could call the “safest” Drake Maye game plan. But what’s really safe when you play QB in the NFL? Look for a lean into the run game against a Titans team that is banged up all over both sides of the ball.
Maye seems a quick study and a quick healer. He fully knows what he could be exposing himself to, and how dangerous concussions are. We’ll learn a good deal about his ability to work within the confines of a game plan designed to keep him safe while attacking a wounded opponent. Though if this is a game the team believed they could win with Brissett operating a similar game plan is the wisest move toi potentially expose the rookie? Will make for a much more interesting watch and study than most games that have two teams with only three wins for sure.
2. What a difference a day, a win and a week can make. The vibes may not be immaculate but things have certainly calmed down in Patriots Nation after last Sunday’s come-from-behind 25-22 win over the Jets at Gillette Stadium. Critical comments from the coach about a “soft football team” produced a gutsy effort from a resilient if not ragtag squad. An injury to the prized franchise QB star in bloom brought back the salty veteran mentor turned backup for a stunning fourth-quarter comeback. A wide receiver who was part of the problem midweek and in-game with a case of the dropsies even found redemption with some late clutch grabs. Plus the Jets made sure to play their part as the Jets. Couldn’t have scripted a needed turnaround much better to give a team a needed W, their first at home in over a year.
Players talked about wanting to respond to their coach’s challenge, knowing they were capable of better. “When somebody calls you out as a man you can’t get all sensitive about it. You have to just say OK, I’m gonna show you,” said Patriots defensive end Keion White, who was a force on the field once again. Cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who is quickly evolving into one of the league’s best, said no players took the “soft” label personally and viewed their coach’s frustrations as a challenge.
Former players in the media who were critical of Mayo’s approach to calling his team out were vocal in their support after the win as well.
Mayo himself said as much to WEEI Monday: “We played soft the past two games and that’s what I meant, and I’d say those guys answered the challenge.”
Players responded. Media called off the dogs. Coaches seem pleased. OK, LFG! Season back on, right?
Let’s pump the Pats brakes for a second. Only three teams over the past 60 years have made the playoffs after starting 2-6 (the 1970 Cincinnati Bengals, the 2020 Washington Football Team and the 2022 Jacksonville Jaguars). Most regionally and league-wide have reasonable expectations, thinking that Sunday’s efforts against a messy, undisciplined Jets team was more indicative of the way this iteration of the Pats should play: tough, balanced and with enough resolve to take advantage of the worst teams in the league and hang with the better squads. While nobody is making Pats viewing plans past early January there may be renewed local interest…even with some wanting more losses than wins so as to secure a higher 2025 draft pick. Try telling a team that just got called soft, with players looking to secure jobs in the NFL let alone second contracts, they need to go in the tank for the team’s benefit.
The win over the Jets only means as much as how the Pats play going forward. First and foremost, health will dictate much of how the Pats can compete as they’ve been one of the more injury-riddled squads this season (16 players showed up on Wednesday’s injury report). Momentum is difficult to build if there’s no consistency as far as lines, rotations and targets go. Plus, there’s much ado about keeping your rookie franchise QB upright as well, though it should be noted Drake Maye’s entry into concussion protocol for the week came from an extended scramble and not a sack in the pocket under a crumbling line. Maye will need to learn to slide sooner or get out of bounds quicker as he adapts to the position at the pro level. His running instincts and ability are part of his dynamic athletic package and why the Pats invested such a high draft pick in him.
If the team stays reasonably healthy, or healthy enough so as to not lose more starters for an extended time and set roster records (12 O-linemen and counting…), then the coaches should be able to get their plans back on track, continuing to implement tier program, build their culture, establish a quality professional environment that allows the younger players to grow while making New England attractive to prospective free agents going forward. That should be the goal for the second half of the 2024 season.
For now it’s nice to hear the fires of controversy calmed from fans to media to players and front office. Without any noise to ignore the Pats can return to business. But…if the injury bug bites again, or softness sets in anew, then all the positivity that came from beating the Jets will be for not. How this season goes and how they’re perceived going forward is in their not-so-soft hands.
3. Without being told outright, we knew the Patriots would be active on the trade market, looking to acquire future draft capital in exchange for players on expiring contracts, who could be assets to teams vying for postseason, or both. Such as the case with the team’s first move, sending pass rusher Joshua Uche to the midwest.
Uche, a fifth-year veteran playing on a one year $3 million deal this season, was a healthy scratch last Sunday, tipping the team’s hand that he could be first to go. Uche said in the offseason that he turned down multi-year offers elsewhere to sign with the Pats, adding at the time, “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. I can’t envision myself playing for another team.” This move gives him a shot at playing football in January and possibly February, not to mention a showcase for his situational rushing talents to earn a larger contract next offseason. It also comes with some melancholy for both sides; that Uche doesn’t continue playing where he wanted to be, and was well loved by teammates…
...and that the promise he showed in 2022 with 11.5 sacks playing opposite a healthy Matthew Judon never materialized again. Uche may have benefitted from a dynamite bookend pass rusher in mentor Judon, but never found similar success, thus he was deemed expendable to get a pick in return, even something as slight as a 2026 sixth-rounder.
For someone who flashed once but has struggled recently, did the Pats get enough in return?
Uche’s former pro coach, the man who drafted him, Bill Belichick, thinks the Chiefs got a steal and that the Pats didn’t get enough in return. Belichick has been critical of much about the Pats in his media days, most appropriately so. Whether Uche blossoms into a force off the edge once again and validates his former coach’s confidence remains to be seen. KC’s solid defensive line may provide Uche the opportunity to shine and lend rush depth to a team looking to do the unique three-peat. The Chiefs, who traded for veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins from Tennessee last week (so no need to worry about him this Sunday), are undefeated on the season and Uche should make them a step better on what’s been a solid defense. You have to wonder if other teams who could use rush depth or lost a pass rusher like the Detroit Lions wouldn’t have given a bit more. Maybe his market was thin and the Pats took first or best. Uche certainty wasn’t a problem child or locker room headache. Time will tell if they received anything resembling commensurate value, but it looks like the Chiefs may get the W, and Pats get, well, something.
4. So the Pats have sold on the NFL trade deadline market, with possibly more to come. Maybe many more to come if recent reports like Dianna Russini’s are to be believed, seems half the team or anyone not named Drake Maye or Christian Gonzlaez could be had!
The argument can be made for some players to be deemed expendable if they’re not contributing now, though parting ways with locker room leaders like Davon Godchaux or the versatile Jonathan Jones could be a tough pill to swall.
But…did anyone expect to learn they might be buyers as well?
When Josina Anderson broke the news that she was hearing the Pats were monitoring the trade market for potential acquisitions an initial wave of skepticism blew through Pats Nation. After all, this is a 2-6 team that has scuffled for the better part of the season and has a five win outlook likely at best on the rebuild. They should be selling off for draft picks, right?
But that’s just it! They’re in a rebuild. The team obviously has many needs, with a top wide receiver (preferably with consistent hands), another offensive tackle (preferably one that can stay healthy) and defensive line depth (again, any healthy ones available) on the shopping list for starters. The team has a hearty number of picks before compensatory calculations come next spring as well.
So, if another team falling out of contention is also looking to divest themselves of a player either with an expiring contract who’s no longer in that team’s plans, or a high priced veteran that needs a change of scenery, perhaps Eliot Wolf, Jerod Mayo and company could pounce at the right time.
Here’s a recent example of two non-playoff bound teams making a deadline deal: last year, the Washington Commanders and Chicago Bears executed a trade, sending pass rusher Montez Sweat to the Bears for a second-round pick. Neither was in contention at the time so it seemed a bit askew. The Bears were so high on Sweat as part of their defensive rebuild they wanted first crack and ultimately signed him to a long-term lucrative extension. He was a priority for them, and it has paid off for both sides as Sweat is playing well for the Bears top flight defense, and the surging Commanders under rookie QB sensation Jayden Daniels selected defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton, part of their surprising defense as well. A win-win all-around.
Maybe the Pats will keep their ear to the wire and hear about a player who could be on the move, a potential part of the solution in Foxboro? Another side to the increasingly active NFL trade market to keep an eye on.
5. Seems there are new faces to acquaint ourselves with every week on the 2024 Patriots, who are consistently dealing with injuries, competition, evaluation and now trades. And this week was no exception.
Ochaun Mathis looks to be the prime candidate to take some of the pass rushing snaps left on the table by Joshua Uche’s trade. Mathis has played mostly special teams (40 of 45 snaps this season), but has the size needed to work the edge and rush the passer. Fellow defensive end Deatrich Wise said Mathis is a high energy guy who has gotten the playbook down and brings a positive energy to the team (we like that!) This is a perfect example of what the Patriots are doing now, getting some draft capital for expiring deals with players they aren’t in love with, creating opportunities and auditions for other players to step in and earn a gig, be part of the future. Mathis now gets a shot, and the former Ram, signed off waivers this summer, hopes to take advantage.
Taking Mathis’ spot on the practice squad is receiver Braylon Sanders.
Sanders, who played college ball at Ole Miss, spent time on the Dolphins practice squad the past two seasons before being let go this summer. While no one is expecting the third year pass catcher to light the world on fire, there’s no denying the Pats receiver room is a wide open competition for reps, playing time and spots this season and going forward. Plus, if there’s a trade or two by Nov. 5? Who knows what opportunity lies ahead.
6. Speaking of the receiver room…
Will anyone emerge as Drake Maye’s top weapon this season? Or at least a dependable, consistent target not named Hunter Henry? You can argue that no one receiver has acquitted himself very well, and the case of the dropsies so many have suffered from seems viral.
OC Alex Van Pelt didn’t pull punches when discussing his underperforming and unreliable receivers room this year, saying they’re disappointed with their drops and inconsistent play, and need to, as Kendrick Bourne said, just play better.
Let’s hope the case of the dropsies has passed, and a combination of a victory, assisted in large part by some redemptive clutch catches by potential top receiver Kayshon Boutte on the final drive, mixed with time off for health reasons (concussion) in Ja’Lynn Polk, heals what has ailed them.
There also seems to be a maturity issue they’re contending with, something Jerod Mayo had to address last Monday on WEEI, rumors of bad eating habits, missing curfew in London. Mayo put it all to bed, but the only thing that will move us all collectively past their subpar play will be a day of playmaking and no drops. With veteran receivers like KJ Osborn, Tyquan Thornton and even Kendrick Bourne (Stef Diggs went down in Houston, would Nick Caserio make a call?) all possibly on the trading block, there could be opportunities aplenty ahead for this young receiving corps. However, they have to, unlike the ball, grab it and hold onto it.
7 - And last but never least, here are your NTKs (Need To Knows) for Sunday’s Music City melee.
ALL-TIME: The Patriots hold a 26-18-1 all-time record against the Titans, which includes their days as the Houston Oilers. If we’re speaking exclusively to the Titans franchise's time in Tennessee, then New England holds a 9-3 advantage. Last time the Pats were in Nashville they got stomped 34-10, that being the last time Tom Brady would ever go out for a pass. There have been four postseason games between the franchises, the most recent being January 2020, Tom Brady’s final game in a Patriots uniform. No need to go into greater detail as now we’re sad.
SPREAD: The Titans are -3.5 home favorites with an O/U of 37.5.
WEATHER: Gonna be a hot one, with partially sunny skies and a temp in the low 80’s, possibly setting the all-time record for this time of year.
BROADCAST: The game will be broadcast on FOX (Ch 25 locally), 1 p.m. EST kickoff, with the team of Jason Benetti, Mark Schlereth and Jen Hale on the call. That’s what happens when a 1-6 team hosts a 2-6 team!
FANFARE: Pats fans are expected to be heavily in attendance, as Nashville is a popular vacation and weekend getaway spot (not to mention the bachelorette parties), with dozens of Patriots fan clubs from across the country selecting this as the getaway and reunion game. Fans will have been treated to a Saturday night rally hosted by the Nashville Pats Fan Club, who also have organized a massive tailgate Sunday, with close to 1,000 fans expected there. A great party city deserves a great Pats pregame party for sure, and the Nash Pats Fan Club and all the great visiting clubs from Tampa to Arizona should have this feeling closer to Foxboro than the coordinates indicate.