Head coach Jerod Mayo was tight-lipped about Maye’s situation, indicating that it was beyond his expertise. Per NFL guidelines, a player in concussion protocol must be evaluated and cleared by an independent neurological consultant before returning to action.
“I’m not going to delve too deeply into the specifics regarding Drake,” Mayo said on Monday, a day after the Patriots snapped a six-game losing streak to claim a 25-22 victory against the Jets.
In the game, Maye also accomplished a personal milestone by scoring his first NFL rushing touchdown, outrunning New York linebacker Chazz Surratt on a 17-yard dash. Unfortunately, he suffered the concussion after attempting to slide near the end of the first quarter but was hit by linebacker Jamien Sherwood instead.
After the hit, Maye continued to play for an additional series, getting sacked and throwing two incomplete passes. Mayo recounted that trainer Jim Whalen advised that Maye needed to be checked in the medical tent.
“I was taken aback,” Mayo recalled. “He executed some good throws afterward, and he still seemed alert in terms of performance. Nevertheless, what happens next regarding his participation is out of my hands.”
Post-game interviews saw Maye absent, leaving Jacoby Brissett to take over the quarterback position. Brissett performed admirably, leading two crucial drives in the fourth quarter that culminated in the game-winning touchdown scored with just 22 seconds remaining.
This win marked Brissett’s first victory since Week 1 after suffering four consecutive losses as a starter prior to Maye’s insertion into the lineup. He completed 15 of 24 passes for 132 yards and made a pivotal 14-yard scramble on third-and-9, keeping the game-winning drive alive.
“I don’t see this as redemption. It’s more about my self-belief rather than public opinion,” Brissett commented. “I feel lucky to have had this opportunity, and winning with our team today felt incredible. Words can’t express how great it was… I don’t mean to sound boastful, but I’m really proud of what I achieved today.”
On the flip side, the Patriots faced challenges regarding penalties, notably three pass interference calls during the game. Two of those penalties directly assisted the Jets in their first touchdown drive, with one call enabling the Jets to advance after a third down incompletion and another placing the ball at the two-yard line.
In terms of individual performances, Rhamondre Stevenson showed promise. After facing difficulties with fumbles earlier in the season, he took 20 carries in this game—his highest since Week 2. Although he recorded only 48 rushing yards, he scored two tough touchdowns, embodying the resilience that Mayo had recently identified as lacking in the team.
Mayo expressed his admiration for Stevenson’s grit, stating, “Earlier this season, he struggled with ball security, but I respect how he has turned things around. Once he steps onto the field, other concerns fade away. I take great pride in his growth.”
Meanwhile, the Patriots’ receiving corps showed inconsistency, with both Kayshon Boutte and Kendrick Bourne missing two catchable passes each, while Tyquan Thornton was unable to secure a throw delivered by Maye, although defensive back Jalen Mills did make a crucial play to break it up.
“They’ve got to elevate their game,” Mayo remarked. “Those players were open at times; a receiver should be able to catch the ball, and ideally, advance afterward. They understand the need for improvement.”
With Maye’s concussion raising concern, the potential impact is significant if it hinders not only game participation but also practice sessions.
Highlighting a notable statistic, the Patriots have managed to defeat the Jets at least once for 24 consecutive seasons, the longest active streak in the NFL. The last year the Jets accomplished a clean sweep over New England was in 2000, coinciding with Bill Belichick’s debut season as head coach for the Patriots.
Looking ahead, the Patriots are set to face the struggling Tennessee Titans, who currently have only one win to their name. This match offers New England a chance to notch their first two-game winning streak since Thanksgiving 2022. Currently, the Patriots are favored by 3 points, marking the biggest margin they have seen this season and just the second time that they’ve entered a game favored to win.