In the aftermath of the Patriots’ Super Bowl LX loss to the Seahawks, the conversation has largely centered around the offensive struggles - and understandably so. Quarterback Drake Maye and left tackle Will Campbell have taken the brunt of the criticism after a performance that fell well short of expectations. But while their play left plenty to be desired, it’s worth zooming out and asking a bigger question: Was the real issue on the sidelines?
That’s the argument former Patriots defensive back and Super Bowl LIII champion Jason McCourty made this week on Up & Adams. And frankly, he’s not wrong to shift some of the spotlight toward the coaching staff - specifically offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and assistant head coach Mike Vrabel - for how the team looked when it mattered most.
“Drake missed quite a bit of throws,” McCourty acknowledged, before adding, “there’s enough blame to go around for every coach and player that’s on the offensive side of the ball.”
And he's right. Maye’s stat line didn’t tell the whole story, but the eye test didn’t do him any favors either.
He was off-target, hesitant, and clearly not seeing the field the way he had throughout the regular season. But as McCourty pointed out, it wasn’t just the quarterback who looked out of sorts - it was the entire offensive unit.
That kind of widespread dysfunction doesn’t happen in a vacuum.
Let’s talk about the offensive line, particularly Will Campbell. The rookie tackle had been a steady presence all season, but in the Super Bowl, he looked overwhelmed.
Now we know why - Campbell revealed postgame that he was dealing with an injury more serious than initially reported. That context matters.
The same goes for Maye, who admitted his shoulder was in worse shape than anyone outside the building realized.
Injuries are part of the game, especially in February. But the decision to keep Campbell in the lineup, despite his condition, is one that deserves scrutiny.
It’s not just about playing through pain - it’s about whether a player can still perform at a high level. In this case, Campbell clearly couldn’t.
And if the coaching staff knew that, it raises questions about why adjustments weren’t made.
Then there’s McDaniels’ game plan, which never seemed to get off the ground. The Patriots’ offense looked disjointed from the start - no rhythm, no tempo, and very little creativity.
Maye was under pressure early and often, and when he did have time, the reads weren’t there. The Seahawks’ defense didn’t do anything exotic - they just played disciplined, assignment-sound football.
New England had no counter.
That’s where coaching comes in. This wasn’t a case of a young quarterback simply melting under the bright lights.
It was a systemic breakdown, from protection to play-calling to execution. The Patriots looked unprepared - and that’s not something you expect from a team led by experienced minds like McDaniels and Vrabel.
To be clear, this isn’t about scapegoating the coaching staff or letting the players off the hook. Maye has to be better.
Campbell, even injured, has to find a way to compete. But when the offense as a whole sputters like that - in the biggest game of the year - it’s fair to ask whether the coaches put their players in a position to succeed.
No one’s losing their job over this, nor should they. But if the Patriots want to get back to the Super Bowl - and win it - they’ll need to take a hard look at how they approached this one.
Because talent got them to the dance. But preparation and adaptability are what win championships.
And on that front, New England came up short.