The New England Patriots suffered a lopsided Week 17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday, but the health and safety of quarterback Drake Maye was of the utmost importance.
Maye took the field in New England’s brisk winter temperature at Gillette Stadium and quickly found himself in an injury tent. The 22-year-old took a hit from Chargers cornerback Cam Hart during Maye’s first drive of the contest, which left him on the ground for a few seconds and caused him to miss New England’s following offensive drive. Maye returned as the Patriots proceeded to endure a 40-7 loss.
“Yeah, just kind of got my bell rung on the first drive,” Maye told reporters, per team-provided video. “I don’t know if any of y’all ever played and you got hit, but sometimes you get your bell rung, and you’ve got to shake back. I guess the (concussion) spotter called down again and had to pass some tests. But I feel good, still feel good, and felt like I was good to go.”
Jacoby Brissett briefly took over, completing one of two attempts until head coach Jerod Mayo’s starter was cleared to re-take the field. Maye finished completing 12-of-22 attempts for 117 yards with one touchdown, an effort highlighted by Maye’s 36-yard connection with receiver DeMario Douglas in the second quarter — that prevented New England from being shut out by Los Angeles.
Maye didn’t want to make an early departure even though the Patriots were in the midst of their second-to-last game of the season, wouldn’t be contending in the playoffs and clawing away with a Week 17 comeback over the Chargers was a far-fetched ambition. The North Carolina product explained how regardless of the score or situation, there’s always value in taking the field if possible.
“I wanna be in the game,” Maye said, per team-provided video. “That’s the biggest thing. I wanna be in the game. I want to be out there with those guys. If our guys are out there, I want to be out there with them and, shoot, may see something that may help us next week out there.”
