After an intense season with the New England Patriots, quarterback Drake Maye announced that he will not undergo surgery on his right shoulder during the offseason, despite sustaining an injury in the AFC Championship Game.

Maye explained that he received a pain-relief injection prior to Super Bowl LX, where the Patriots fell 29–13 to the Seattle Seahawks. Although his performance drew mixed reactions, he stated that the shoulder issue does not require surgical intervention. The 23-year-old signal-caller emphasized that “time is the best healer” and that his focus now is on rest and recovery throughout the break.

Despite the disappointment in the Super Bowl, Maye led New England to an impressive 14–3 regular-season record, finishing as one of the league’s standout young quarterbacks.

Why is this decision important for the Patriots?

Because Maye can recover without surgery, allowing for a smoother physical preparation ahead of the 2026 season and preserving the continuity of his development as one of the NFL’s most promising young quarterbacks.