Make New York Post a Preferred Source Drake Maye is attempting to put rumors of a rift with his head coach to bed.
The Patriots’ quarterback was asked about his relationship with Mike Vrabel on Wednesday as New England faces some early-season woes.
“Coach Vrabel’s been one of the best football coaches I’ve had in my life,” Maye said. “I think coach Vrabel’s been one of the biggest things as to why this has been so enjoyable for me is playing for coach. I think we all feel that way in the locker room. He pushes us hard.
“I’ve loved playing for him, and it’s not going to change. It hasn’t changed, and it won’t change. The way he pushes me, and he coaches the quarterbacks in a way that I really respect, and I’m looking forward to getting going, proving to coach that I can lead this football team and play good football.”
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye speaks in a press conference after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. AP Photo/Mike Stewart New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel looks on in the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars during an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. AP Photo/Mike Stewart In the Patriots’ 35-6 loss to the Jaguars on Sunday, Vrabel was seen wrapping his arms around Maye after Maye turned the ball over a third time.
Maye, who has been the crux of New England’s struggles thus far, has seven turnovers against one touchdown in three games this season.
This week, WEEI morning show host Greg Hill claimed he had heard rumblings of a rift between Maye and Vrabel.
“It goes back to, despite what Mike Vrabel may have said publicly, it goes back to Drake Maye not being his guy,” Hill said.
“Let me just tell you why I’m here … I wanted to coach here because Drake was the quarterback,” Vrabel said.
The 1-2 Patriots visit the 3-0 Bills on Sunday at 1 p.m.
