Patriots news: Drake Maye problem gets worse as he gifts Travis Hunter 1st INT

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The New England Patriots came into the 2026 season with high expectations, especially because of star quarterback Drake Maye. Maye nearly won the NFL MVP in 2025 in just his second season, but he has gotten off to a very slow start so far in 2026.

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That slow start continued on Sunday against a talented Jacksonville Jaguars defense. After a critical fumble early in the game, Maye and the Patriots had a chance to cut into a 14-3 Jaguars lead just before halftime. However, the former No. 3 overall pick made a very poor decision and was picked off by Travis Hunter in the back of the end zone.

Maye now has six turnovers on the season after throwing four picks in his first two games. He has 10 games with multiple turnovers since the start of his career back in 2024, the most in the NFL during that time, per ESPN Insights.

It was the first career interception for Hunter, the former No. 2 overall pick in Jacksonville who has struggled to carve out a role so far in his NFL career. Maybe this can be a breakthrough moment for the Heisman Trophy winner, who is now playing full-time on defense while also moonlighting as a wide receiver.

Maye started the 2026 season by struggling mightily in the second half of a Super Bowl rematch against the Seattle Seahawks. He threw three interceptions in that game, including a costly one at the end of the game, that cost the Pats a chance for revenge. In a Week 2 win over the Steelers, he threw another pick with the Patriots in scoring position.

As a result of Maye’s sloppiness in the first half for the Patriots, New England trails the Jags 14-3 at halftime of this AFC battle as both teams try to get to 2-1 on the season. With the Buffalo Bills off to a red-hot start so far in 2026 and Josh Allen looking like an MVP candidate, it is paramount that the Patriots do not fall too far behind in the standings this early in the season.

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