Drake Maye addressed concerns about his throwing shoulder following the New England Patriots’ defeat to the Seattle Seahawks at Super Bowl 2026. The quarterback revealed that he had received a pain-relieving injection in his shoulder before the game but reported no discomfort while playing on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
“My shoulder feels — they shot it up, so not much feeling,”
Maye said.
“It was good to go, and felt alright.”
Performance and Game Highlights
Despite the injection helping to mitigate pain, Maye’s performance reflected the Patriots’ challenging night. He completed 27 of 43 passes for 295 yards, delivered two touchdowns but also threw two interceptions and lost one fumble. His overall quarterback rating stood at 79.1, partially aided by late completions in the fourth quarter when the outcome was largely decided.
Maye faced intense pressure from the Seahawks’ defense, being sacked six times. The interceptions marked his first multi-pick game since Week 9 of the 2024 season. Although his 295 passing yards were his second-highest in a single game this year, it wasn’t enough to change the game’s trajectory.
Pre-Game Injury Concerns and Preparation
Speculation about Maye’s health began after the Patriots’ AFC Championship victory, when he was marked as a limited participant in a hypothetical practice on January 28. Subsequently, he missed a real practice for the first time all season, with head coach Mike Vrabel attributing his absence to a combination of injury and illness.
However, Maye downplayed any lingering issues ahead of the Super Bowl. At the league’s opening night event, he said,
“I feel good. I’ll be just fine. I threw a good bit. I threw as much as I would in a normal practice, and it felt great.”
Two days before the Super Bowl, there was no official injury designation for him.
Postseason Reflection and Future Outlook
Though Maye finished second in the NFL MVP voting behind Matthew Stafford, his postseason performance was inconsistent. Across three playoff games, he completed just 55.8 percent of his passes, throwing four touchdowns and two interceptions. The Super Bowl loss underscored the difficulty he faced against a disciplined Seahawks defense.
The challenges Maye encountered in the Big Game may serve as valuable lessons for the young quarterback, highlighting areas for improvement as he continues his career. With the Patriots looking to rebound, his health and performance will remain key focal points in the upcoming season.
Drake Maye was asked postgame how his shoulder feels:
“My shoulder feels – they shot it up, so not much feeling. It was good to go, and felt alright.”@WEEI #NEPats #SBLX pic.twitter.com/l9EOmQg6CP
— Tom Carroll (@yaboiTCfresh) February 9, 2026
