The New England Patriots caught a glimpse of their future under center during quarterback Drake Maye's rookie season. Although the former UNC signal-caller was far from perfect, Maye's solid performance through the air (2,276 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, 88.1 passer rating) and on the ground (421 rushing yards, two TDs) through his first 12 starts has the Patriots fanbase excited about the 22-year-old QB's future.
But as great as Maye looked in Year 1, the Patriots franchise quarterback can't succeed on his own. New England didn't have a single pass-catcher hit the 700-yard mark last season, making it a need to address the wideout room once free agency opened.
Even though Maye made it clear he'd love to have a game-changing receiver at his disposal, the Patriots have yet to do right by him. As Pats fans have watched elite receivers — from Davante Adams to DK Metcalf — find new homes, all New England has done is sign Mack Hollins to a two-year contract.
As it turns out, Maye might be playing a big role in the lack of moves.
Patriots Rumors: Drake Maye Played Role in Failure to Land Davante Adams and DK Metcalf
On Tuesday, NBC Sports Boston's Tom E. Curran reported that the Patriots' concerns regarding Maye's development caused them to miss out on a pair of elite playmakers this offseason.
"The Patriots were exceedingly wary of the negative impact a demanding veteran wideout could have on Maye," Curran wrote. "As a result, they weren’t in the game on talented guys like DK Metcalf and Davante Adams."
The Patriots were active in Week 1 of NFL free agency, but plenty of work still must be done... particularly on offense.@tomecurran breaks down the state of the Pats offense and the moves that still need to be made: https://t.co/Thyfcvks6I
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) March 18, 2025
Judging by Curran's report, it sounds like the Patriots were worried that a disgruntled veteran could hurt Maye's upward trajectory. The last thing new head coach Mike Vrabel needs is WR-related drama to disrupt his starting QB's progress even if they're an upgrade over the team's current weapons.
The report isn't too surprising considering the Patriots could've match the price for either veteran playmaker. Adams signed with the L.A. Rams for $46 million spread across two years — a number that New England, which opened free agency with the most cap space, could've afforded — while it only cost the Pittsburgh Steelers two draft picks to land DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks.
With most of the previously available wideouts locked down, the Patriots' options to help Maye are slim. Although pass-catchers like Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen, and Amari Cooper are still available, most unsigned WRs are either past their prime or coming off an injury-riddled season.
The Patriots could turn to the draft for wideout help, especially with four top-80 selections. At the same time, Javon Baker and Ja'Lynn Polk's lackluster rookie seasons likely have the Pats fanbase wary about any potential WR prospects that EVP of player personnel Eliot Wolf & Co. might have their eyes on.
Maye's development is crucial to any potential playoff return. Although finding a less-demanding WR would be ideal, the Patriots can't afford to be picky for too long as more potential targets find new homes with each passing day.