Drake Maye is dealing with the toughest stretch of his young career. The Patriots quarterback watched New England fall 35-6 to the Jaguars on Sunday, a game filled with turnovers and missed chances. Doubts are growing around the franchise passer. Yet one famous Patriots fan still refuses to back away. His latest answer to a simple quarterback debate might surprise anyone following the team’s shaky opening month.
over Brock Purdy
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy picked a side in a clip posted on Monday. Asked whether he would take Maye or Purdy, the devoted Patriots fan chose New England Patriots‘ passer without much hesitation.
Portnoy told viewers, “You got to go Drake, right, because the ceiling is so much higher.” He said Purdy is very good, but he needs a quarterback who can win a Super Bowl and doubts Purdy can.
The numbers make that take bold. Maye has thrown one touchdown and six interceptions through three games. Purdy has nine touchdowns and one interception, and the 49ers are 3-0 atop the NFC West.
New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel talks to quarterback Drake Maye (10) during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. © Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Both quarterbacks know the sting of a Super Bowl loss. Purdy lost to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, and Maye fell 29-13 to the Seahawks in Super Bowl LX last February.
Portnoy still sees more upside in Maye and feels he already knows what Purdy is. Purdy has looked sharp in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, which makes that view harder to defend right now.
Next, a closer look at Maye’s shaky start shows why Portnoy’s pick is being questioned.
Maye’s trouble started in the season opener, a 13-10 loss at Seattle in which he threw three interceptions. Against the Jaguars on Sunday, he finished 14 of 25 for 199 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.
An early fumble added to the frustration. Maye said center Jared Wilson had blood on his hand, which made the football slip. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel rejected the excuse.
Oct 5, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) and wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) walks off the field against the Buffalo Bills after the game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Vrabel told WEEI, “We can hear explanations, we can’t allow for excuses.”
ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky added pressure by saying he has not lost confidence in Maye, but he is losing confidence in the Maye and Vrabel pairing. Last season, Maye threw 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions, so belief in his talent still exists. That gap between last year’s numbers and this year’s mistakes is the heart of the debate.
New England is 1-2 and travels to face the Buffalo Bills in a divisional matchup next. San Francisco is 3-0 and hosts the Denver Broncos. Portnoy’s pick faces another test, while Purdy looks to keep his strong start going.
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