Five Bold Predictions for Patriots Preseason: Does Drake Maye Struggle?

The New England Patriots have just one day left before their 2026 preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday. They won't have a padded practice, but will have one final walkthrough ahead of their first organized football game since Super Bowl LX.

Of course, the final scores won't matter, and most fans in attendance will forget about which players stood out 10 years from now. But now is a better time than ever to make some bold predictions about how the Patriots' three-game preseason will go.

So what do I think might happen over the next month? Here's a few things that could potentially happen in Patriots land, including a major contract that finally -- finally -- gets settled.

Drake Maye ... Struggles?

Aug 8, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Washington Commanders defensive tackle Johnny Newton (95) tackles New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

This one feels far-fetched, especially when you consider the fact that he might not play more than a drive or two total. But Maye has looked solid in training camp that it can't be this good, right?

Here are Maye's numbers in the five preseason games he's played in: 28-for-46, 250 passing yards, one passing touchdown, nine rush attempts, 48 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, two sacks, four fumbles, one fumble lost. Overall, not the worst set of stats.

Really, the bar of "struggling" for Maye is very low. He's locked into the starting job and if he maybe sails a few easy throws, that could fit the description of struggling. For me, it feels like these next few games will give the 23-year-old a chance to try some things out.

Maybe test a throw you wouldn't make in the regular season. Try to evade pressure a bit longer. Be a bit dramatic. Maye's abilities on the field aren't a question, but maybe he'll be risky in what he wants to work on in his brief time on the field (again, if he even plays).

Cameron Dorner Becomes Instant Fan Favorite

Jul 28, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Cameron Dorner (88) walks to practice for training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Every year, there's always a player or two on the offensive side of the ball that makes a lasting summer memory. That player can easily be wide receiver Cameron Dorner, the North Texas rookie who has come along as one of the top UDFAs on the roster this summer.

He's been a consistent target for rookie quarterback Behren Morton on the third-string offense and could easily play himself into a practice squad spot by the end of the month. Dorner has looked smooth in his route running in practice and it wouldn't be a shock if that translates to the game field.

Patriots fans have fallen in love with the underdog that pops in the preseason. Austin Carr, Ralph Webb, Danny Etling, Gunner Olszewski, Efton Chism III. The list goes on and on. A touchdown (or two) could etch Dorner's name into that illustrious list.

Gabe Jacas Records 2+ Sacks

New England Patriots rookie edge rusher Gabe Jacas warms up during training camp. | Ethan Hurwitz / Patriots On SI

Jacas' training camp debut as the Illinois rookie was sidelined without a contract. Now that he's been on the field and working with the starting defense, his talents have shown New England why he was selected in the second round.

In a room with depth issues off the edge, Jacas could easily be a player the Patriots decide to limit in the preseason -- especially when you want to consider the knee procedure he had over the offseason. But the speed that he's shown is exactly what you'd want in a pass rusher.

He knocked down outside linebackers coach Mike Smith in a positional rep earlier in the summer with a lot of force. Once he straps the pads on and hits someone else, he could be putting opposing quarterbacks into the ground instead of his coach.

Young Defensive Back Grabs Pick-Six

Jul 28, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Channing Canada (29) walks to practice for training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Patriots' secondary is in a bit of a tight spot right now, considering Christian Gonzalez's contract negotiations and Carlton Davis' nagging hamstring ailment. Obviously, both of those players wouldn't be playing in the preseason anyway, but it's going to put more pressure on some of the younger defensive backs in that room.

And it feels like that pressure could create a diamond moment. The Patriots secondary, after starting the summer slow in the turnover department, has slowly turned that around. I see that transferring onto the field in the next three weeks, and the Patriots end up snagging an interception before taking it to the house.

It might be rookie Channing Canada. It might be rookie Kenneth Harris. It might be rookie Peter Manuma. It might be second-year John Saunders Jr. (who has two picks in camp so far). Regardless, I see the Patriots taking an interception the other way for the first time since Jamie Collins took one 43 yards against the New Orleans Saints in 2016.

Christian Gonzalez Finally Gets His Extension

Aug 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0) on the field before the preseason game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Finally. At some point this summer, the cornerback will agree to terms with his long-awaited contract extension. To this point, he's been a full participant in every padded practice. But once the Colts came along for joint practices, he was absent.

It was reported that he missed the day to deal with a minor ankle injury suffered the day before, but it's certainly nice timing that another team came to town. Ultimately, the Patriots can't go into the regular season without a happy Gonzalez and a contract will need to get hammered out at some point.

Maybe it happens this week. Maybe right before the final preseason game against the Cleveland Browns. Regardless, I predict that Gonzalez heads into Week 1 with some heavier pockets.

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