Drake Maye’s rise hits speed bump as Patriots QB struggles in Super Bowl LX loss

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The second season of Drake Maye’s Storybook didn’t feature a storybook ending.

Instead of ending his stellar year with a Lombardi Trophy in hand, Maye left the field in notable agony as Seattle Seahawks-themed confetti rained down around him following a 29-13 score at Levi’s Stadium in Super Bowl LX.

Minutes after the clock hit zero, a glassy-eyed Maye took to the postgame podium to explain what was wrong with an offense that was shut out for the first three quarters — something that hadn’t happened in a Super Bowl since the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl VIII (1973 season).

“It’s going to hurt and sting for a while,” Maye said, “but that’s what you sign up for.”

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Maye completed 27 of 43 pass attempts in Super Bowl LX for 295 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. However, most of that production came during a time when New England was desperately trying to get back into contention. Excluding the final frame, Maye was 8 of 18 (44.4%) for 60 yards.

“Yeah, I think there are some games that I’m going to think about over the next seven months, until we’re back in September to play the first one,” he said, reliving the worst loss of his young career moments after it happened.

When Maye and the Patriots finally found a spark in the fourth quarter — scoring their first touchdown on a 35-yard pass to Mack Hollins — they couldn’t keep the momentum going. After the New England defense forced a Seahawks punt, Maye and the offense had an opportunity to cut the deficit to a touchdown with just over 10 minutes left.

Instead, Maye threw interceptions on the next two possessions, including a pick-six.

“Plays that can change the game matter,” Maye said. “If you pass them, you celebrate. Otherwise, you’re sitting here, you know, crying on a podium. That’s part of it. I know you’re playing for the playoffs, and I know we’ll be back – we’ll be back in the playoffs.”

The playoffs proved to be a different animal for Maye and the Patriots. Throughout the regular season, the young quarterback was superb, putting himself in the MVP conversation after leading the league in completion percentage, passer rating and yards per attempt. In the playoffs, those numbers dropped significantly, notably with the success rate dropping to 58.3%.

Part of that decline could be attributed to Maye not being 100% healthy, as he was nursing a right shoulder injury before the Super Bowl. Maye told reporters that “we increased it” before the game to make it more manageable, but added that he did not think the injury affected his performance.

“I think it would be difficult to say that,” he said when asked if his shoulder was limiting him. “It feels good to be out there…I just didn’t play tonight.”

Maye was clearly crushed by the loss, especially considering his role in the loss with poor play on the game’s biggest stage. Still, he was quick to view that moment as fuel to get New England back into the playoffs — and next time, finish the job.

“The losses, they hurt,” he said. “I think you try to learn when you win and remember that feeling when you lose. I know there are a lot of things you wish you had back, but it will only make you stronger in the end.”