NFL Writer Highlights Patriots 'Nightmare Scenario' This Season That Could Affect Drake Maye

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye

NFL Writer Highlights Patriots 'Nightmare Scenario' This Season That Could Affect Drake Maye originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New England Patriots are riding high after a remarkable season that saw them reach the Super Bowl, bouncing back from a tough 2024 in which they won only four games. However, the big question now is whether they can keep the momentum going and deliver another standout season this fall.

Many people expect the Patriots to have another strong season. Still, Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon highlighted what could be New England’s "nightmare" scenario if things go wrong this year.

"A Super Bowl hangover and a distracting scandal involving head coach Mike Vrabel crush a young team as Drake Maye and Co. are exposed by a much more challenging schedule," Gagnon wrote on Friday.

There's a possibility that New England may take a step back this season. Last year, it had one of the easiest schedules in the NFL, and now all the teams have had a full year to analyze film on Maye and the way Josh McDaniels prefers to utilize him in the offense.

If the Patriots don't make it to the Super Bowl this season but still reach the playoffs, it will still be considered a successful season. Yet, if they miss the playoffs altogether, it would be viewed as a failure, especially given what Vrabel achieved in his first season as head coach.