New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is ready for the 2026-2026 NFL season after sustaining a shoulder injury ahead of the 2026 Super Bowl.
“My shoulder’s feeling great,” Maye, 23, told sports reporter Kay Adams during his training camp on Friday, July 31. “I think that was a bummer way to end the last game.”
The NFL star suffered an injury during the AFC championship game in January after stiff-arming Denver Broncos linebacker Jonah Elliss during the fourth quarter, a move that helped secure his team’s spot in Super Bowl LX.
“I’m feeling good. I’m feeling good. We’re gonna get some extra rest, and really the only thing that’s from the game, I think just the build up of throwing for, this is what, almost, including training camp, 30 weeks straight of throwing and four days a week,” Maye said during a press conference afterward, addressing his health. “It can add up. But I’ve got some extra rest. I’m feeling good, and yeah, ready to go for the Super Bowl.”
Maye played through his injury during the big game the next month, ultimately losing to the Seattle Seahawks 13-29.
Following the loss, Maye had the chance to recuperate before returning to training camp in July.
“I think keeping the main thing the main thing, and that’s, you know, my family, my faith and playing this game of football,” he said on Friday of his pride in returning for his third season on the gridiron. “I think having my family and my wife at home, we really tried to [stay humble]. It’s just been a nature of who we are, and being from the South,[it’s] saying, ‘Yes ma’am’ and ‘No ma’am’ and just not lose sight of who I am. I think that’s what gets you places where you want to go in life.”
Drake has been married to his wife, middle school sweetheart Ann Michael Maye, since 2025. In addition to tirelessly supporting his football career, she’s also plied the Patriots with homemade cookies during training camp.
“Sometimes you got to take breakfast off or kind of eat, like, a yogurt or eat something small to try to save some room for some cookies,” Drake quipped. “She makes [baked goods] and … brings them to the offensive lineman! They make the rookies write out little notes and say thank you. Even the receivers want some, so everyone wants a little taste.”
