Mike Vrabel Points Finger at Patriots QB Drake Maye Over Late-Game Decision-Making in Opener Loss

· Yahoo Sports

It takes big blunders to let go of a 10-0 lead in the final quarter and that’s what had happened in the Week 1 game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye threw three interceptions that ultimately allowed the Seahawks to close the gap and mount a comeback in the fourth quarter.

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Such kinds of defeats are always harder to swallow, and Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel didn’t hold back pointing to his quarterback partly responsible for it.

Mike Vrabel calls out Drake Maye’s ‘three interceptions’

The New England Patriots controlled the game for three quarters against the Seattle Seahawks, holding a 10-0 lead heading into the final period. Then the offense completely unraveled. Quarterback Drake Maye threw interceptions on each of the team’s final three possessions, handing Seattle the momentum and the 13-10 victory.

Jul 25, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) answers questions from the media after training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Maye’s first pick came on a deep shot that Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett intercepted. Seattle immediately capitalized, with receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba scoring a 45-yard touchdown that tied the game at 10-10. The second interception occurred on third-and-14. Maye’s pass intended for DeMario Douglas was tipped at the line and landed in the hands of safety Julian Love. Seahawks followed with a 26-yard Jason Myers field goal that put the Seahawks ahead for good.

The decisive third pick sealed the outcome. With 26 seconds left, Maye was flushed to his right and forced a throw toward wide receiver Mack Hollins in the end zone. Cornerback Josh Jobe read the play, undercut the route, and intercepted the pass in bounds. Had Maye simply thrown the ball away, kicker Andy Borregales would have had a roughly 34-yard field-goal attempt to tie the game.

Head coach Mike Vrabel refused to sugarcoat the result. Three interceptions on the final three drives directly caused the collapse from a 10-0 lead. He made it clear that Maye understands the standard.

“We want to be aggressive, not reckless. You can’t throw three interceptions. Drake knows that,” Mike Vrabel said.

Drake Maye also reflected on his performance, and he didn’t take easy on himself. While talking about his performance, he described his performance as “unacceptable” and

Drake Maye vows to be better in the coming games

Maye was candid about his performance after the game, taking full responsibility for the loss.

“I thought we had the game under control,” Maye said. “I thought we had a good plan to try to start chipping away and be patient. Lost patience and it cost us, decisions that cost us the game on my part, on my end. I vow to myself to be better and realize it’s a long season. But at the same time, you can’t have those. It’s unacceptable.”

The quarterback was particularly hard on himself over the crucial late turnover that sealed the Patriots’ fate.

“I was trying to get rid of it… realized Mack [Hollins] was back there… and didn’t put enough on it to get it out. And it was just unacceptable. We had a chance to send it to overtime at the worst. And the only thing you can do is turn the ball over. And that’s what I did,” he added.

He also acknowledged forcing earlier throws, including one down the sideline to Romeo Doubs that contributed to the first interception.

After their 13-10 season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the New England Patriots return home for Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, September 20, 2026. The Patriots will have 11 days to recover and prepare after the Wednesday night loss.

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