Patriots Defense Allows 35 Points to Jaguars as Milton Williams Takes Blame

Q: With Drake Maye benched for Tommy DeVito after three brutal turnovers, who will start at quarterback for New England next week?

Drake Maye is still the most likely starter for New England next week against Buffalo. Maye was benched for Tommy DeVito in the fourth quarter of the 35-6 loss, but the available reporting indicates it was largely a blowout-related move after Maye’s three turnovers, not a formal quarterback change. Multiple reports note it is “hard to imagine” the Patriots benching him beyond this game, especially given his status as last season’s MVP runner-up and the team’s established starter. Coach Mike Vrabel’s comments also point more toward correcting Maye than replacing him. After the game, Vrabel said the Patriots have to fix the quarterback’s decision-making and that Maye may be “trying to do too much,” but he did not signal that DeVito would take over. Maye likewise said he needs to “look myself in the mirror” and called the offense’s play “unacceptable,” framing the issue as something to be addressed, not an immediate handoff. DeVito remains the backup on the depth chart, and there is no clear evidence from the reporting that New England plans to elevate him to start in Week 4. Unless Vrabel announces a change later in the week, the strongest read from the team’s public comments and roster context is that Maye will keep the job, with heavy pressure on him to cut down the turnovers quickly.

3 articles · Updated · The Boston Globe · Sep 27

New England’s defense unraveled in a 35-6 loss, giving up 137 rushing yards and watching Milton Williams publicly shoulder responsibility afterward.
Jacksonville controlled the game by converting 66.7% of its third downs, averaging 4.6 yards per carry against the Patriots and keeping Trevor Lawrence largely untouched.
Lawrence finished 19-of-29 for 182 yards and 3 touchdowns, while the Jaguars scored on all 5 red-zone trips and had only 2 plays end in negative yardage.
Drake Maye’s 2 interceptions and lost fumble gave Jacksonville multiple short fields, but Patriots defenders called the performance inexcusable regardless of the turnovers.
At 1-2, New England now heads to Buffalo next week searching for the kind of rebound Williams said helped revive last season after an early stumble.