Drake Maye enters the 2026 NFL campaign with far more around him than he had a year ago. The New England Patriots added A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs at wide receiver and Alijah Vera-Tucker to the offensive line after Maye led the team to Super Bowl LX in his second season.
New England will begin its 2026 campaign with an opportunity to get revenge against the Seattle Seahawks, the team that exposed its offensive problems in the Super Bowl.
Despite the new additions, New England will have to open the season without one of its most explosive offensive weapons. This could put more pressure on Maye against the same defense that gave him trouble in the Super Bowl.
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TreVeyon Henderson ruled out against the Seahawks
Henderson has been ruled out of Wednesday’s season opener because of an ankle injury he suffered during an Aug. 24 practice. He has not practiced since and will miss his first regular-season game as a Patriot.
That is a significant loss for Maye. Henderson led New England with 911 rushing yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie while adding 221 receiving yards. His explosiveness gave the Patriots another way to create big plays without putting everything on Maye.
Rhamondre Stevenson is expected to take over the lead role after rushing for 603 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Corey Kiner could also receive an expanded role.
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Drake Maye still has more help than he did in the Super Bowl
The Henderson injury does not leave Maye without weapons.
Brown gives him a legitimate No. 1 receiver, while Doubs adds another proven target. Vera-Tucker also gives New England another option up front, and the Patriots believe their offensive line is better equipped for Seattle after Will Campbell and Jared Wilson gained another year of experience.
Maye is coming off a season in which he threw for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns with only eight interceptions, finishing with a 113.5 passer rating.
But against Seattle, he will have one fewer explosive weapon in the backfield. On Wednesday, Maye will be faced with the tough task to make the Patriots’ improved offense work without Henderson.
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