Rob Gronkowski isn’t buying the idea that Drake Maye has settled in yet.
Two weeks into the season, the former Patriots tight end said New England’s quarterback still looks out of sorts in the pocket, even after the Patriots’ 20-3 win over the Steelers on Sunday. On “Up & Adams” Tuesday, Gronkowski said Maye hasn’t shown the kind of jump plenty expected after his runner-up MVP finish last season.
“What he has shown so far is that he's kind of like off balance; his mechanics really aren't there,” Gronkowski said, adding that Maye “looks like he's forcing things” and is “panicking a little bit” under pressure.
Gronkowski did draw a line between what he’s seeing now and the steadier version of Maye from last season, when the quarterback was, in his words, “cool and collected.” He also stopped short of labeling it a full-blown regression, saying it’s still too early to make that call and that Maye deserves a few more weeks before anyone reaches a fair conclusion.
The numbers through two games do back up the uneven start. Maye has thrown four interceptions and just one touchdown pass, while taking six sacks. That’s a steep drop from last season, when he threw 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions across 17 games.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel wasn’t interested in entertaining the conversation after the win over Pittsburgh. When reporters tried to bring up Maye’s play, Vrabel shut it down quickly.
“You're not going to ruin my Sunday,” he told one.
Gronkowski wasn’t the only former Patriot sounding uneasy. Julian Edelman, joining him on the podcast, said Maye simply hasn’t looked comfortable.
“Drake didn't look comfortable at all,” Edelman said. “He looks -- even on that interception -- his feet aren't set.
He's, like, drifting. He just doesn't feel comfortable.”
Edelman pointed to New England’s uneven run game as part of the issue, saying the offense needs to get back to the explosive play-action shots that helped drive last season’s success.
The Patriots have gotten enough elsewhere to stay afloat at 1-1. Their defense turned an Aaron Rodgers fumble into a touchdown, and the team now heads into matchups with Jacksonville, which is also 1-1, and Buffalo, which is 2-0.
Meanwhile, top receiver A.J. Brown remains out with a high-ankle sprain, and right guard Mike Onwenu left Sunday’s game with a first-quarter injury.
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