3 days Ago By Conor Ryan
By Conor Ryan With the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft hanging in the balance , the Patriots might be better served sitting out Drake Maye and several other starters for the team’s season finale on Sunday against the Bills. A loss to Buffalo — a team that also might rest Josh Allen and most of its starters after clinching the No.
2 seed in the AFC — would lock New England into that top pick, while a win would offer little value beyond a slim silver lining in an otherwise miserable season. Even Jerod Mayo acknowledged that holding out Maye for Week 18 was a potential option , noting that “everything is in consideration” ahead of what is otherwise a meaningless game against the Bills. But speaking on WEEI’s “Afternoon Show” on Monday , Maye stressed that he hasn’t been told of any changes to the depth chart entering the final game of his rookie season.
“Nothing has really been put across to me,” Maye said. “I’m preparing like (I’m going to play). I’m going to watch the Bills some more tonight.
Nothing has been said to me. But I think every week you prepare like you’re the starter regardless. I’m looking forward to getting another chance and opportunity this weekend.
” Beyond the draft implications that would present itself if Maye and the Patriots beat a Bills team emptying its bench, the case can be made that Maye should sit out Week 18 in order to ensure his health entering the offseason. Even though Maye has impressed as one of the few bright spots on New England’s roster this season, he has taken his fair share of bumps and bruises. Maye, who already missed a majority of one game earlier this year after suffering a concussion, left Saturday’s 40-7 loss to the Chargers after taking a hit to the head.
Maye made his way to the locker room after getting evaluated in the blue medical tent on the sideline, but returned to the game after Jacoby Brissett finished one series. While Maye finished the lopsided loss to Los Angeles, the Patriots might be best-served putting their top asset in bubble wrap to close out the season. But, the 22-year-old quarterback stressed that he is not dealing with any lingering effects of that hit from Chargers cornerback Cam Hart.
“I feel good. I felt good going back in the game,” Maye said. “I felt good when I was out there, felt good taking off – I took a few hits after I came back in the game.
I feel good today, so I’m looking forward to practice this week.” Conor Ryan Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
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