After battling through a shoulder injury that required pain-management injections ahead of Super Bowl LX, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye told reporters Tuesday that he won’t need offseason surgery to address the issue.

“Time is the best healer,” Maye said. “Just need time off. Nothing that needs anything to be done. Just need time to rest and time away from football.”

Maye, 23, became the second-youngest quarterback to lead his team to a Super Bowl, just 35 days older than Dan Marino. He underwhelmed in New England’s 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, throwing for 295 yards — most of which came in the fourth quarter when his team was down multiple scores — and two touchdowns but also throwing two interceptions and fumbling once.

He finished the first half with just 48 passing yards.

It was a sour ending to a breakout season for the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Maye finished second in MVP voting, receiving 23 first-place votes while Rams QB Matthew Stafford claimed 24 to narrowly win.

Maye led New England to a 14-3 record in the regular season.

Even the disappointing end didn’t deter Maye as the team begins to turn the page to 2026.

“Ten weeks until we’re back here,” Maye said. “That don’t sound too far away. It turns around quickly on you. I’m looking forward to it.”

–Field Level Media

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Drake Maye is concern-free as Super Bowl LX approaches.

That goes for his throwing arm, too.

The New England Patriots’ second-year quarterback said his tender right shoulder feels fine and there’s no reason for worry entering the Sunday clash with the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara, Calif.

“I threw a good bit (today),” Maye said Monday during the Super Bowl Opening Night festivities. “I threw as much as I would in a practice, and it felt great.”

In other words, no worries.

“I feel good. I’ll be just fine,” Maye said.

Maye missed practice on Friday, but not due to the shoulder. Coach Mike Vrabel said Maye was out with an illness.

Vrabel said Monday he’s not concerned about Maye’s shoulder.

“We’ll work through these things through the week, just like everybody else does,” Vrabel said. “But we’re confident that the preparation that’s required for each position on our football team will be there by the end of the week, and everybody will be available.”

Sunday will mark the second time Maye has been inside Levi’s Stadium for a Super Bowl.

His dad took him to Super Bowl 50 when Maye’s favorite boyhood team, the Carolina Panthers, lost to the Denver Broncos.

And, yes, there’s a little bit of pinching involved to believe it’s truly his turn.

“It’s a full-circle moment, that’s the biggest thing,” the 23-year-old Maye said. “So thankful my dad was able to take me to a Super Bowl, I don’t take it for granted. I was watching my favorite team at the time and got a chance to watch Peyton Manning’s last game (for the Broncos).

“Now to be here and playing in one myself, I know how special it is.”

The No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of North Carolina, Maye completed an NFL-best 72% of his passes this season. He ranked third with 31 passing touchdowns and fourth with 4,394 passing yards.

Most important, he guided the Patriots to a 14-3 record that tied the Seahawks and Denver Broncos for most regular-season wins.

“There’s so many things that he does at an accelerated rate based on his age,” Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said Monday. “He’s 23 years old, but he’s wise beyond his years. He knows how to prepare well, he’s smart, he’s a great leader and he’s very authentic with his teammates.

“And certainly all the physical attributes that we’ve seen all year long: He loves the game, he wants to be good at every aspect of it and that’s a great trait to have as a young player. Playing quarterback in the NFL, there’s really no shortcuts in being good at that position.”

Maye is ready to hone in on his preparation for the week. He understands the Super Bowl hype and the possibility of distractions.

But he said he won’t be paying attention to anything that isn’t related to the game itself.

For example, Maye is considered a co-favorite with Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford for the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award that will be announced Thursday.

“Anything else outside is nothing I need to worry about,” Maye said. “That’s the biggest thing for me. Just go out there and give our guys a chance to make plays, get them the football. I’ve done that and they’ve made me look good.”

–Field Level Media