Why the latest Drake Maye news won't give the Jaguars an edge vs. the Patriots

The Jacksonville Jaguars just lost to the Chicago Bears. They'll be looking to bounce back when they face the New England Patriots in Week 7. Heading into the game, quarterback Drake Maye is getting the spotlight because he appeared on the initial injury report. This begs the question, how much will this favor the Jags in Week 7?

Maye popped up on the injury report with a knee injury even though he was a full participant. What was noteworthy about the news was that he got an MRI after practice, per Ben Volin of The Boston Globe.

Players get an MRI to find out how serious an injury can be, and the fact that Maye got one after practice may sound like a reason for concern. But not long after Volin broke the news, Tom Pelissero, Mike Garafolo, and Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported that it was too much ado about nothing.

Nevertheless, Maye's status for the game will be something to keep an eye on. The third overall pick in this year's draft, the North Carolina Tar Heel made his first NFL start in Week 6. New England was 1-5 and plugged him behind center in hopes of giving the team a spark.

The Patriots had Maye sit behind Jacoby Brissett to watch and learn to start the season. However, some players reportedly grew frustrated about the rookie passer watching from the sidelines because they felt he gave them a better chance of winning than his veteran counterpart.

All things considered, Maye fared well in his first start, throwing three touchdowns and three interceptions, which is the same amount Trevor Lawrence had in his NFL debut against the Houston Texans in Week 1 of the 2021 season.

If the knee injury is indeed not a reason for concern, Maye will suit up against the Jaguars in Week 7.

Whether Drake Maye plays or not, the Jaguars must be prepared for the Patriots

The Jaguars were looking to start a winning streak when they faced the Chicago Bears in Week 6 after getting their first victory of the season against the Indianapolis Colts the game prior. Unfortunately, they fell flat, and their chances of salvaging their season have decreased considerably.

Still, the Jags cannot just throw in the towel. The fact that the 1-5 New England Patriots are struggling as much as them bodes well for Jacksonville. Having said that, losing could be the straw that broke the camel's back in what's been a disappointing season.

Head coach Doug Pederson has been under heavy scrutiny and his job security has come into question in light of the team's 2024 team struggles. Pete Prisco of CBS Sports believes that he could get fired if the Jaguars lose in Week 7.

This would be a bit shocking when you take into account that owner Shad Khan has shown patience when it comes to firing head coaches. However, the Jaguars have underachieved this season, and Pederson deserves plenty of blame for it. Sure, firing him wouldn't suddenly solve the woes plaguing the Jaguars but they could at least get an early start in their search for a new head coach (and a general manager).

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