New Patriots Rumors on Drake Maye, Mike Vrabel Relationship Amid Report of Rift

NFL insider Tom Pelissero discredited rumors regarding a rift between New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye amid the team's 1-2 start to the 2026 season.

Pelissero reported Saturday on his Substack "there were some chuckles among those in the know" about a report from WEEI's Greg Hill regarding an "issue" between Maye and Vrabel.

"Those who know both the coach and quarterback well say there's zero truth to the theory that there are problems with their relationship," Pelissero reported. "They speak regularly, never a tense word between them, and together were two of the driving forces behind last year's AFC title."

When asked about the rumors earlier this week, Vrabel said he came to New England specifically because he wanted to coach Maye as his quarterback.

"Believe it or not, I had choices to where I wanted to coach. I wanted to coach here, because Drake was the quarterback," Vrabel said Wednesday. "I don't have really much other to add to that about a comment from an unnamed source."

Vrabel was responding to Hill saying on his show he heard from an "insider" that "despite what Mike Vrabel may have said publicly, [the issue] goes back to Drake Maye not being his guy."

The report came after a rough season start that has seen Maye score one touchdown while throwing six interceptions.

That marks the most picks given up by a Patriots quarterback through three games since Drew Bledsoe in 1994.

That stretch was capped off by Maye throwing two interceptions in a 35-6 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, which marked Maye's 10th game with multiple turnovers since 2024.

Vrabel could be seen speaking with Maye on the sideline after his third turnover of the day late in the third quarter before benching his starter in favor of Tommy DeVito with eight minutes remaining in the blowout.

Maye has committed a combined 15 turnovers, including 10 interceptions and five fumbles, since the start of the 2025 playoffs.

Helping Maye regain confidence in his ball security will be key to Vrabel's hopes of turning the Patriots' season starting Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, which despite their perfect record have allowed the sixth-most passing yards against through three games.