Drake Maye says ‘nothing has been said to me,’ preparing to start in Week 18
With Saturday bringing the Patriots one of their worst losses since the Kraft family bought the team in 1993, it also helped bring them something by four o’clock on Sunday that would have seemed inconceivable only a few years ago:
The pole position for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
With the Giants upsetting the Colts in their Week 17 game at MetLife Stadium, the 3-13 Patriots are now one loss away from clinching the top pick this upcoming spring.
So head coach Jerod Mayo and the organization are faced with a tough choice:
A. End the year on a high note by beating the Bills at Gillette Stadium, even though Buffalo will almost certainly be resting their starters with the No. 2 seed in the AFC clinched
…or
B. Play rookie quarterback Joe Milton III instead of fellow rookie Drake Maye, giving the unproven rookie valuable game reps while your proven rookie rests, ultimately making it more difficult for your team to win in Week 18, thus helping your team secure the No. 1 pick
It’s truly a franchise-altering decision, and Mayo told WEEI on Monday that “everything is on the table.”
And as of Monday afternoon, Maye told the WEEI Afternoon Show that no one has told him of a possible status change for Week 18, as he’s been the team’s starting quarterback since Week 6.
“Yeah, nothing really been across to me,” said Maye. “You know, I’m preparing like I’m ready, and I’m going to watch the Bills some more tonight. So nothing has been said to me, but I think every week you prepare like you’re the starter regardless. So get ready, kind of, for whatever, and looking forward to getting another chance, an opportunity this weekend.”
Outside of a strategic benching for draft position, some fans and media have wondered if Maye should sit in Week 18 to help recover from the head injury that knocked him out of the game for a series on Saturday.
When asked on Monday by WEEI’s Andy Hart if he was having any residual effects from that hit two days later, Maye assured the radio host that he felt fine.
“No, I feel good,” said Maye. “I felt good going back in the game. I felt good when I was out there, and felt good taking off. Took a few hits, you know, after I came back in the game. So, you know, feel alright and still feel good today, so looking forward to practice this week.”
Stay locked in to WEEI and WEEI.com for all the latest on this developing story.
