Patriots Defender Squashes ‘Crazy’ Drake Maye Playoff Narrative

Despite stringing together three dominant postseason outings, the New England Patriots defense doesn’t want to hear about carrying Drake Maye to Super Bowl LX.

Maye led New England to a 14-3 season and AFC East championship by accounting for 35 touchdowns with a league-leading 72.0 completion percentage. The MVP finalist hasn’t lived up to those same lofty standards in the playoffs, completing just 43 of 77 passes (55.8%) with two interceptions and six fumbles (three lost) in three victories over top-five defenses.

That led former Patriots quarterback Cam Newton to liken Maye to Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson, journeymen quarterbacks who rode an elite defense’s coattails to a Super Bowl. Patriots linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson doesn’t think that idea applies to Maye.

Chaisson disputed the notion that New England’s defense has carried Maye to the Super Bowl on Friday’s “Up & Adams.”

“It’s crazy, though. It’s crazy that you hear that,” Chaisson said. “Cause he carried the team all year long. Every chance they get, they try to change the narrative.”

Chaisson added that outside noise “just comes with the game,” but Maye keeps doing whatever is necessary to lead the Patriots to victory. Despite tallying just 86 passing yards, the quarterback produced some essential moments among his 65 rushing yards in last Sunday’s AFC Championship Game win over the Denver Broncos.

Yet Chaisson wants the defense to keep helping Maye as much as possible when the Patriots face the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl.

“Obviously he’s continued to do a great job of finding this team wins and making huge plays to get us where we’re at,” Chaisson said. “Defense continued to do a great job, continue having his back regardless of what circumstances you put him in. So, we continue to have that mindset and that motive going into this game, for sure.”