Drake Maye’s performance could determine Patriots’ early-season fate, insider

The Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots during the 2026 NFL season opener.

According to Jason La Canfora, an NFL insider, analyst and reporter, the Patriots may face further hardship early in the season, especially if Drake May is unable to perform at the top level of quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Trevor Lawrence.

"If Drake May can’t be as good as Trevor Lawrence, or as good as a Josh Allen, then you’re probably looking at a team that’s 1 and 3 at best, with a long row to hoe," the NFL insider and award-winning reporter said in an interview with Casino Guru News.

La Canfora continued: "And this is also a team that I’m not sure is going to be super active before the trade deadline. They made their big move. They got A.J. Brown."

In light of Brown’s injury, the NFL analyst predicted that the Patriots player may stay off the field for at least a month, or more like six weeks.

Those circumstances, La Canfora said, make the task for Drake May even more challenging.

"That’s a problem for their (New England Patriots) offense. If they’re not scoring points like they were last year, that’s a problem for their defense," the League analyst and insider explained.

What’s more, La Canfora mentioned one advanced scout that reportedly described the Patriots as a team designed to be "front runners."

"And if they can play with a lead, they can make the other team one-handed and have to just throw the ball and have to chase the game, that’s great," the NFL analyst and insider outlined, adding that if the Patriots struggle with their offense and trail, it may find it difficult to generate the same pressure and impact.

"You know, we got 6 pressures out of Dre’Mont Jones (in) Week 1. I don’t think that’s going to be the norm," La Canfora said in conclusion.

Image credit: Unsplash.com