New England Patriots fans received reassurance this week that quarterback Drake Maye believes his right shoulder is performing normally after the injury that sidelined him in the 2025 AFC Championship game. In a post‑game interview on Sunday, Maye said he feels “good” and is focused on helping the team win, emphasizing that any soreness is part of the normal grind of an NFL season.
Maye’s own assessment
When asked whether his shoulder still affected his play, Maye responded, “Yeah, I wouldn’t say there’s a problem with my shoulder. I felt good during training camp and I’ll continue to let it loose.” He added that he plans to give “100 percent” every time he steps onto the field, and that any soreness after a game is simply part of the sport.
Coach Vrabel’s comments
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel echoed Maye’s optimism. In a Monday morning interview with WEEI, Vrabel said, “I can’t speak on what his shoulder feels like. That’s nothing that I even have ever heard anything about.” Later, at a press conference, Vrabel was asked directly if he was aware of any lingering shoulder problem. He answered, “No, I’m not. There was not, to my knowledge, anything that would have put him on the injury report or any sort of treatment. Every player has normal maintenance and pre‑hab that they go through as a warm‑up routine.” He concluded that while hits are inevitable, he does not anticipate the shoulder becoming an issue moving forward.
Performance concerns remain
Despite the reassurances, Maye’s early‑season performance has drawn criticism. He threw two interceptions in the end zone—one to Seattle’s Josh Jobe in Week 1 and another to Travis Hunter in Week 3—and continues to struggle with fumbles and decision‑making in the pocket. Analysts note that while a lingering shoulder issue would not fully explain these mental errors, it could contribute to the quarterback’s overall misfires.
What fans should watch
Patriots supporters are encouraged to monitor Maye’s on‑field decisions as the season progresses. The coaching staff’s confidence suggests that any physical limitation has been addressed, but the quarterback’s mental sharpness will be the true test of his ability to lead New England back to the playoffs.
Bottom line
Both Drake Maye and Coach Vrabel have publicly stated that there is no lingering shoulder problem from the 2025 postseason injury. While the Patriots’ early games have highlighted decision‑making issues, the team appears confident that the quarterback’s health will not be a factor moving forward.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
