The Lomabradi Trophy is within the grasp of the New England Patriots. But the latest update on star quarterback Drake Maye's health has made this Super Bowl drive difficult.

One week before the Super Bowl, Drake Maye was missing from Friday's practice due to a shoulder injury as well as illness.

However, when Mike Vrabel was asked about his concern around Maye, his response was simple. "Not much."

Vrabel also maintained that if it weren't for the illness, Maye would have practiced. He was at the training facility for the team meetings.

Missing Maye would be a big loss for the Patriots. His regular season numbers were at 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns, which had put him in MVP contention. He carried that same form into the playoffs with 533 yards and 4 touchdowns.

However, once the update about Maye's missing practice emerged, fans took to X, calling the QB out.

Drake Maye Gets Called Out For 'Excuses'

One posted "Drake Maye rn thinking about getting pancaked by the Seahawks D-line." Well, the Seahawks' defensive unit is the sixth-best in the league this season, and above the Patriots. They've allowed their opponents the fewest points with 16.4, the lowest in the league. Moreover, Maye has been sacked 15 times in just three playoff games. His overall 2025 season numbers are at 62 sacks taken. But that's not all.

One fan attacked the team's schedule, writing, "That’s the 'finally playing a good team' illness. Hes having chills getting ready to toss 80 yards again." Throughout this season, the Patriots faced a lot of criticism about an 'easy' schedule. Even Vrabel addressed it in the build-up to the Super Bowl.

The Seahawks are hugely favored and predicted to win. But Maye's critics are losing sight of the fact that Maye has led his team in a complete turnaround in the past two years. They've gone from a 3-14 record to a 14-3 finish record. Despite this, one fan said, "Like the patriots need any more help losing the SB."

Part of the problem has been Maye's declining performance in the playoffs. While he had more than 400 passing yards and 4 touchdowns in the first two games, that number dropped sharply against a strong Broncos defense.

He completed only 10 passes out of 21 for 86 yards. The only touchdown Maye managed was a rushing one after 10 carries with a rushing average of 6.5 yards per attempt. While the game was under heavy snow, it was his first game this year with fewer than 100 passing yards.

Do you think Maye will perform well in the Super Bowl?

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar