In the days after Super Bowl LX, the conversation about the New England Patriots’ 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks has continued long past the final whistle, and one of the emerging storylines centers on the performance of Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Despite leading New England to its first Super Bowl appearance in years, the 23-year-old signal caller struggled against Seattle’s defense, and some analysts and former players have been candid in their assessments.
As reported by SportsKeeda, among the more pointed takes came from former Green Bay Packers quarterback Kurt Benkert, who didn’t hold back when evaluating Maye’s tape from the title game. Super Bowl LX saw Maye put up mixed numbers: he finished with 27 completions on 43 attempts for 295 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, and he was sacked six times as the Seahawks’ front kept pressure on him all night long.
Many critics pointed to Seattle’s defensive pressure and strategic blitzes as a major reason for the Patriots’ offensive woes, but individuals who broke down the film felt Maye’s struggles went beyond just the defense. Posting about what he saw on the tape, Benkert wrote, “This Drake Maye tape is worse than I thought. “There were wide open guys everywhere, even when he had time, he just wasn’t seeing it. It was the definition of a seeing ghosts game,”
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Benkert Knows Why Maye Struggled
To be fair, the Seahawks’ defense was relentless throughout the night. Seattle’s unit held the Patriots scoreless through three quarters, and its approach was both disruptive and inventive, disguising pressure and forcing Maye off his rhythm repeatedly. Analysts noted that defensive standout Devon Witherspoon, among others, was particularly effective, generating pressure and forcing the young quarterback to make off-platform throws that never quite found their mark.
Still, even taking the strength of Seattle’s unit into account, comments like Benkert’s reflect how heavily expectations had risen for Maye, especially after his brilliant regular season and his ascent into MVP conversations earlier in the year. Through the 2025 campaign, Maye was one of the league’s most efficient and accurate passers. That success helped propel the Patriots to a 17-3 record and a seemingly legitimate championship run, until that final game.
Criticism of Maye’s Super Bowl performance has come from a range of voices. Some analysts point to the offensive line’s struggles as a big factor, noting that Maye was under duress far more often than he should have been given his skill set. Others suggest that the sheer magnitude of the stage, the biggest moment of his professional life thus far, may have affected his processing and reaction time. Regardless of the cause, the narrative around Maye’s night has become a central talking point in NFL coverage.
Beyond Benkert, fans and commentators on social platforms echoed similar concerns. Many pointed to plays where wide receivers were open, yet Maye held the ball too long or failed to progress through his reads, leading defenders to close in or forcing throws into tight windows.
Despite the criticism, many voices within the NFL community also cautioned against judging Maye’s entire career on a single game. After all, few quarterbacks, even seasoned veterans, have performed flawlessly under the intense pressure and spotlight of a Super Bowl. The experience, difficult as it was, could serve as a valuable lesson for him and the Patriots organization as they look ahead to the upcoming season.
Published: Feb 10, 2026 03:40 pm