Drake Maye Turnovers, Fumble, Benching and Crying: Patriots QB’s Tough Day Against Jaguars

Drake Maye endured a difficult afternoon as the New England Patriots suffered a 35-6 defeat against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 27, 2026. The Patriots quarterback threw two interceptions, fumbled twice and was benched in the fourth quarter as his team struggled to find an offensive rhythm.

Maye’s performance quickly attracted attention across the NFL, with fans searching for updates about Drake Maye turnovers, his fumble, whether he was benched and whether he was crying on the sidelines. The 24-year-old quarterback also faced questions about his confidence after another disappointing performance in the 2026 NFL season.

The loss added to New England’s early-season difficulties. After an impressive 2025 campaign, Maye has struggled to reproduce his previous form, recording six interceptions and seven total turnovers through the first three games of the season.

Drake Maye Turnovers Against the Jaguars

Drake Maye’s turnovers became a major talking point during the Patriots’ Week 3 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Maye threw two interceptions and lost one of his two fumbles in the 35-6 defeat. His mistakes gave Jacksonville additional opportunities and made it increasingly difficult for New England to remain competitive.

The quarterback completed 14 of 25 passes for 199 yards, recording no passing touchdowns and two interceptions. He was also sacked three times and finished with a passer rating of 48.6.

One of the most costly mistakes came when Maye threw an interception to Jaguars cornerback Travis Hunter. Another interception gave Jacksonville further momentum, while his fumbles added to the Patriots’ offensive problems.

According to the Associated Press, Maye acknowledged that New England needed to make better decisions with the football. He also accepted responsibility for his own mistakes, recognising that turnovers had contributed significantly to the loss.

Drake Maye Fumble: What Happened to the Football?

One of the most unusual moments of the game occurred when Drake Maye attempted to throw a deep pass but unexpectedly lost his grip on the football.

There was no defender directly forcing the fumble. The ball slipped out of Maye’s hand during his throwing motion, creating a surprising turnover that attracted considerable attention from fans and commentators.

After the game, Maye explained that the football may have been slippery because of blood from a cut on the hand of Patriots center Jared Wilson. He said that he had received the ball and was trying to get the play started when the incident happened.

However, Maye did not use the explanation to avoid responsibility. He acknowledged that he still needed to hold on to the football, regardless of the circumstances.

The unusual fumble became one of the most widely discussed moments of the Patriots’ loss, particularly because it happened without an opponent directly knocking the ball away.

Was Drake Maye Benched Against the Jaguars?

Yes, Drake Maye was benched in the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 27, 2026.

With New England trailing 35-6 and the game effectively out of reach, head coach Mike Vrabel replaced Maye with backup quarterback Tommy DeVito.

Maye had struggled throughout the game, throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble. His performance followed an already difficult start to the season, making the decision to bring in DeVito a significant moment for the Patriots.

Vrabel explained that the team needed to execute better and make smarter decisions with the football. He also pointed to the importance of avoiding forced throws when a play was not available.

The substitution came as the Patriots attempted to finish the game with their backup quarterback. However, the decision also raised questions about Maye’s current form and what his role might look like as the season progresses.

The benching was a response to the situation in that game. It did not, by itself, confirm that Maye had permanently lost his starting position.

Was Drake Maye Crying on the Sidelines?

Drake Maye attracted attention for his emotional appearance on the sidelines during the Patriots’ heavy defeat.

Reports and footage circulated online showing the quarterback looking visibly frustrated and appearing close to tears while watching his teammates play. Total Pro Sports described Maye as looking as though he was about to cry during the game.

However, there has been no confirmed statement that Maye was actually crying. His expression and body language prompted speculation among fans, but they do not establish exactly how he was feeling.

Maye remained on the sidelines after being replaced by DeVito and was seen supporting his teammates. His reaction became another talking point following a performance in which he had struggled to protect the football and lead the offense.

The attention surrounding the incident highlights the scrutiny NFL quarterbacks face, particularly when their teams are losing and expectations are high.

Drake Maye Stats Against the Jaguars

Here are Drake Maye’s key statistics from the Patriots’ Week 3 game against Jacksonville.

Maye’s numbers reflected a difficult afternoon for the New England offense. Although he passed for 199 yards, he was unable to record a touchdown and committed multiple turnovers.

His passer rating of 48.6 was among the lowest of his NFL career, underlining the difficulties he faced against Jacksonville’s defense.

Drake Maye’s Turnovers in the 2026 NFL Season

Maye’s struggles against Jacksonville were part of a difficult opening three weeks for the Patriots quarterback.

Drake Maye’s 2026 regular-season statistics through Week 3

Maye recorded six interceptions and two fumbles across his first three games, with one of those fumbles lost. That gave him seven total turnovers.

His season-opening performance against the Seattle Seahawks was also challenging. He threw three interceptions in a 13-10 loss, including a costly late interception when the Patriots were in position to attempt a scoring drive.

He followed that with a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the Jaguars game brought further problems for the young quarterback.

The statistics represent a notable contrast with his 2025 season, when he threw 31 touchdown passes and only eight interceptions across 17 regular-season games.

What Did Drake Maye Say After the Loss?

Following the defeat, Maye took responsibility for his performance and acknowledged that the Patriots had failed to execute effectively.

He described the result as disappointing and said that he needed to look at himself and use the experience as a turning point.

Maye also addressed his confidence, maintaining that he remained confident in his ability to make plays and compete. He recognised, however, that confidence also required him to learn from his mistakes and eliminate turnovers.

His comments reflected an awareness of the challenges facing the team. Rather than placing all the blame on his teammates or the circumstances of the game, he accepted that his own decisions had contributed to the result.

Head coach Mike Vrabel also stressed that the team needed better execution in practice and on game day. He indicated that players sometimes try too hard to make something happen, leading to decisions that create further problems.

Why Is Drake Maye Struggling in 2026?

Several factors have contributed to New England’s offensive difficulties during the opening weeks of the season.

Turnovers and decision-making: Maye’s six interceptions and two fumbles have placed additional pressure on the Patriots. His decision-making under pressure has been a major focus following the losses to Seattle and Jacksonville.

Injuries to key players: The Patriots have been without wide receiver A.J. Brown, who is on injured reserve with an ankle injury. His absence has limited the team’s receiving options and affected its offensive plans.

Offensive line problems: Injuries along the offensive line have also complicated the Patriots’ attempts to establish a consistent offense. Maye has been sacked repeatedly, and the running game has struggled to generate momentum.

Difficulty sustaining drives: New England has had trouble converting offensive opportunities into points. Against Jacksonville, the Patriots scored only six points, while turnovers made it harder to build sustained drives.

These issues have emerged together, making it difficult for the Patriots to find consistency. Maye’s individual mistakes have been a significant part of the problem, but the team’s wider offensive struggles have also played a role.

What Is Next for Drake Maye and the Patriots?

The Patriots are scheduled to face the Buffalo Bills in their next game, giving Maye and the offense another difficult challenge.

New England entered the season with high expectations after its successful 2025 campaign. However, its 1-2 start has increased attention on the quarterback and the team’s ability to respond to adversity.

Maye will be looking to reduce turnovers, improve his decision-making and regain consistency. The return of injured offensive players and improved execution across the team could also help New England address its early-season problems.

Vrabel and the coaching staff will need to assess the team’s performance and determine how to improve its offensive production. Although Maye was benched against Jacksonville, the available reporting does not establish a permanent change at quarterback.

The coming games will provide further information about how Maye responds to the difficult start and how the Patriots adjust their offensive approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many turnovers did Drake Maye have against the Jaguars?

Drake Maye had four turnovers against the Jaguars: two interceptions and two fumbles. He lost one of his fumbles.

2. Why did Drake Maye fumble the football?

Maye explained that blood from a cut on center Jared Wilson’s hand may have made the football slippery. He also acknowledged that he needed to maintain his grip.

3. Was Drake Maye benched?

Yes. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel benched Maye in the fourth quarter against the Jaguars and brought in backup quarterback Tommy DeVito.

4. Was Drake Maye crying during the Jaguars game?

Maye appeared visibly frustrated on the sidelines, and some reports described him as looking close to tears. However, it has not been confirmed that he was actually crying.

5. How many interceptions does Drake Maye have in 2026?

Through the first three games of the 2026 NFL regular season, Maye had thrown six interceptions.

6. What was Drake Maye’s record against the Jaguars?

The Patriots lost 35-6 to the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 27, 2026, leaving New England with a 1-2 record.

7. Who replaced Drake Maye against the Jaguars?

Tommy DeVito replaced Drake Maye at quarterback in the fourth quarter.

8. Is Drake Maye still the Patriots’ starting quarterback?

Maye was benched during the Jaguars game, but that decision did not confirm a permanent change to the Patriots’ starting quarterback position.

Conclusion

Drake Maye’s performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars was one of the most challenging moments of his young NFL career. His two interceptions, two fumbles and fourth-quarter benching contributed to New England’s 35-6 defeat.

His emotional appearance on the sidelines also attracted attention, although claims that he was crying remain unconfirmed. Maye took responsibility for his mistakes and expressed confidence in his ability to bounce back.

With the Patriots facing further challenges in the 2026 season, reducing turnovers and improving offensive execution will be important as Maye and New England look to recover from their disappointing start.