Mike Vrabel sheds light on Drake Maye's late-game decision-making

As ugly as Wednesday's season-opening loss to the Seahawks was, the Patriots still should have at least pushed the game to overtime. Instead, Drake Maye threw an ill-advised, game-ending interception in the end zone with 26 seconds left in regulation, taking a potential game-tying field goal off the board.

It was Maye's third interception of the game, and his fifth in two games against Seattle, going back to the Super Bowl. In the days since New England's 13-10 loss, Maye's decision-making has come under fire, with some beginning to question the 24-year-old quarterback who threw just eight interceptions all of last season en route to a second-place MVP finish.

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel isn't making any excuses for his QB, but during his weekly appearance on The Greg Hill Show on Monday, he did shed some light on the mindset that may have led to Maye being too aggressive.

"I want us to believe that we're going down there to win the football game," Vrabel said. "That's what I want us to believe. We converted two fourth downs. Had a long yardage situation that we battled back from. You know, if it's not there, it's not there. But I also want us to believe that we're going down there to win the football game, not just to tie it up."

Vrabel obviously wanted the Patriots to be aggressive and take a shot at the end zone. Of course, that approach has to have limits, though, which Vrabel also acknowledged.

"Obviously, we don't want to lose any yards and we don't want to put the ball in harm's way," Vrabel said. "So it's either us or nobody, and we still have a timeout."

Asked if anyone communicates to Maye that he can't throw a pick in that situation or if Maye should just know that himself, Vrabel said offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels does remind Maye of the game situation via their headsets.

"It's said," Vrabel said. "Like, Josh talks to him. I talk to Josh and tell him what we're thinking as quickly as possible. This all has to happen pretty quick."

Despite that inexplicable mistake in Week 1, Vrabel said he still trusts Maye to make a better decision next time.

"We trust him with the ball implicitly to make great decisions," Vrabel said. "Whether that's to keep it and scramble or to throw it. We'll get back to work."

After having the weekend off, the Patriots will get back to work on Monday as they aim to bounce back in Week 2 against Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers.

Maye will join WEEI's Rich & Ken with Ted Johnson Monday afternoon for his weekly Patriots Monday appearance.