There are a lot of naysayers squawking about how the New England Patriots will "regress" in 2026 because of their more difficult schedule. No doubt it is more arduous, and it will be a challenge to reach the heights they achieved in 2025.
But in the NFL, the most important factor in equalizing all other factors is having a franchise quarterback. The Patriots have that in Drake Maye, and one top analyst, Kyle Brandt, has reminded the NFL just how good he is in a segment on Good Morning Football.
While it's the opinion du jour that the Patriots will fall back to earth in 2026, a team that once again fields a healthy Drake Maye will be a handful for any NFL team. That includes the Seattle Seahawks, who trampled the Patriots in the Super Bowl when Maye was nursing an injured right shoulder.
Also playing hurt was his backstop, left tackle Will Campbell. Having both of their two most important cogs subpar is not a prescription for beating the best team in football, as the Patriots found out the hard way. But that was 2025, and this is 2026.
The Patriots have added pieces like receiver A.J. Brown, and both Maye and Campbell will presumably be healthy. That makes a world of difference.
Kyle Brandt "gets it" about Drake Maye and the addition of A.J. Brown
Brandt immediately reminded the NFL world just how good Drake Maye is and will be now that Brown has joined the attack.
Getting AJ Brown reminds us of what’s most important about the Patriots- how good Drake Maye is. pic.twitter.com/7DG3eWtS1x
— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) June 1, 2026
Brandt reminds us that Maye had the best pure passer rating in the NFL. He also sported the best completion percentage, both of which and more were achieved with an offensive line that surrendered sacks, pressures, and hits by the barrel-full - a point he didn't mention.
Besides saying that "Drake Maye is amazing', Brandt also suggested that the acquisition of Brown is "huge" and is "the biggest news of the offseason". (So much for the Myles Garrett trade to the Rams!)
He is effusive in his superlatives, and he's spot on in his commentary. Drake Maye is that good, and if the Patriots somehow, despite seeming to botch the job of building a much better offensive line, have actually improved his protection, then the sky is indeed the limit.
One offseason imperative for the Patriots was to improve Drake Maye's receiving corps, which they did in no uncertain terms by trading for Brown and signing Romeo Doubs, an upgrade at the No. 2 receiver spot.
Even a semblance of an improved offensive line will make Maye's job that much easier and the 2026 schedule that much more manageable, and that's a nightmare for the rest of the NFL who are hoping to see the Patriots' downfall.
Add us as a preferred source on Google