FOXBORO —- Patriots gamers took one final journey into Gillette Stadium on Tuesday following Sunday’s Super Bowl LX loss to the Seahawks.
Gamers had a closing assembly with positional coaches and different workers, however they’ll be again within the facility very quickly.
“Ten weeks till we’re again right here,” quarterback Drake Maye mentioned Tuesday. “In order that doesn’t sound too distant. It turns round rapidly on you. I’m trying ahead to it.”
Unprompted, Maye additionally made a vow to followers after Sunday’s 29-13 loss to the Seahawks, when he accomplished 27-of-43 passes for 295 yards with two touchdowns, two interceptions and a misplaced fumble on six sacks.
After an MVP-caliber season — he completed second in voting — Maye didn’t play like himself in 4 postseason video games.
“Respect the followers and assist. I do know I didn’t play in addition to I might have favored down the stretch, and promise to do my greatest to work onerous and get us again to these moments in these video games,” Maye mentioned Tuesday. “And may’t wait to be again in Gillette and looking out ahead to subsequent yr.”
Throughout the common season, Maye accomplished a league-high 72% of his passes for 4,394 yards with 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions for 8.9 yards per try and a 113.5 passer ranking.
Within the playoffs, Maye accomplished simply 58.3% of his passes for 822 yards with six touchdowns and 4 interceptions for six.9 yards per try and an 82.2 passer ranking.
Maye rushed 103 occasions for 450 yards with 4 touchdowns and eight fumbles within the common season. He rushed 29 occasions for 178 yards with one landing and 7 fumbles within the postseason.
Maye did undergo a proper shoulder harm throughout the Patriots’ AFC Championship Recreation win over the Broncos. He mentioned it received’t require a process, however he’ll give it time to heal.
“Yeah, simply get a while. Time’s the perfect healer. Nothing that wants something to be finished,” Maye mentioned.
The younger quarterback mentioned his arm was “feeling nice all yr” till he was tackled onerous on a scramble by Broncos security Talanoa Hufanga within the AFC title sport.
“I don’t suppose throwing actually was the occasion for my arm,” Maye mentioned. “I feel it’s a case of getting one hit within the AFC Championship Recreation that was simply sort of unlucky timing. The 2 weeks was nice to have off to have an opportunity to be on the market and be on the market for my guys. You may’t blame issues on accidents. Issues occur like this on a regular basis within the league. I used to be blessed this yr. What a yr of well being and blessings for me this yr. You may’t zone in on one little factor on the shoulder. Simply unlucky it occurred to be the throwing one, however on the similar time, I may have prevented it or made extra performs. I used to be feeling like I used to be capable of make throws within the sport and was myself. Nothing that I’ve something a lot else to say about that.”
Maye mentioned after Tremendous Bowl LX that he took a painkiller shot in his throwing shoulder earlier than Tremendous Bowl LX.
He was optimistic about spending one other yr in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ system, saying he felt like a rookie once more this yr, enjoying within the offense for the primary time.
“I’m trying ahead to it, getting an opportunity to be within the — Lord-willing and knock on wooden, the identical offense for the second yr. I’m trying ahead to that, and the sky’s the restrict for us,” Maye mentioned. “We’ve obtained a number of nice gamers in that locker room.”
With simply 10 weeks till the Patriots reconvene for the offseason exercise program and a few relaxation wanted for his proper throwing shoulder, Maye plans to place in some high quality time along with his spouse, Ann Michael.
“This offseason, I’ve obtained a spouse now. I’ve obtained a phenomenal spouse, so I don’t know. I stay up for spending this offseason with my spouse,” Maye mentioned. “Yeah, that’s sort of my first thought. That’s going to be the spotlight of my offseason, I can let you know that.”
Maye obtained engaged and married final offseason. Coaches usually are not permitted to speak soccer with gamers till the offseason exercise program beings, however Maye is permitted to fulfill and throw with teammates on his personal.
