Drake Maye’s Shoulder Sparks Optimism as Patriots Land in San Jose for Super Bowl LX
Patriots fans are watching every move like it’s game film-and this week, even a carry-on bag is making headlines.
As New England touched down in San Jose ahead of their Super Bowl LX clash with the Seattle Seahawks, all eyes were on rookie quarterback Drake Maye. And not because he said anything.
Not because he threw a ball. But because he carried his own bag off the team plane-with his right hand.
For a fan base on high alert over the status of Maye’s throwing shoulder, that simple act was a promising sign. No brace, no wince, no help.
Just Maye, casually slinging his luggage like a guy who’s not worried about his arm. In Foxborough, that’s as close to a medical clearance as you’re going to get during Super Bowl week.
And the concern hasn’t come out of nowhere. Maye’s shoulder has been a question mark since the AFC Championship game, where he took some serious punishment.
The rookie has battled through a brutal playoff stretch, facing three straight top-five defenses. And while his regular-season numbers were MVP-level-4,394 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and a 72% completion rate-January has been a different story.
In last week’s snow-covered slugfest against the Denver Broncos, Maye completed just 10 passes for 86 yards. The conditions were rough, but it was clear the offense was leaning more on grit than precision.
What saved the Patriots? Maye’s legs.
He scored the game’s only touchdown on a six-yard scramble and racked up 65 rushing yards on 10 carries. It wasn’t pretty, but it was enough.
That kind of dual-threat ability has been the heartbeat of New England’s playoff run. But it’s also come at a cost.
Drake Maye is off the jet, carrying his bag in right hand pic.twitter.com/PHtL3IOdcR
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) February 2, 2026
Maye has been sacked 15 times in three postseason games. That’s a lot of hits for any quarterback-let alone a rookie playing through a shoulder issue.
Now, with the Seahawks looming, the question is whether Maye can get back to the efficient, accurate passer we saw during the regular season. Seattle’s defense isn’t a cakewalk-they finished the year tied for seventh in sacks and have a front seven that knows how to get after the quarterback. If Maye’s going to keep New England’s offense humming, he’ll need that right arm at full strength.
So yes, a video of him carrying a bag might seem like a small thing. But in a week where every detail is dissected, it’s a sign Patriots fans were hoping to see.
No sling. No hesitation.
Just a quarterback looking ready for the biggest game of his life.
And for a city chasing its seventh Lombardi Trophy, that’s more than just good optics-it’s a reason to believe.