JANUARY 1: Maye said on Wednesday he is feeling good and expects to play (h/t ESPN’s Mike Reiss). Mayo repeated his stance that healthy starters will suit up for Week 18, so that should be expected in Maye’s case.
DECEMBER 30: One week remains in the Patriots’ season, a campaign which has witnessed a number of unwanted developments. With New England’s loss on Saturday and the Giants’ win yesterday, though, a silver lining could emerge in the form of the No. 1 pick in the draft. 
[RELATED: Updated Draft Order]
Losing in the regular season finale against the Bills would lock up the top spot, meaning the Patriots will have a notable incentive to avoid a fourth win on the campaign. As a result, head coach Jerod Mayo was asked if resting starters – including quarterback Drake Maye – would be on the table. He replied that such a move is being considered at this point, although he later said injuries will be the only factor driving the decision to rest players next week.
“My expectation is if the guys are healthy, then they’re expected to be ready to go out there and play,” Mayo clarified (via Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal). “Again, we’ll have to see how the week goes.”
Mayo noted Maye is not currently in the NFL’s concussion protocol, but added that could change later today. In the event the No. 3 pick were to enter the protocol, he would be all-but assured of missing the season finale, something which would pave the way for veteran Jacoby Brissett to handle starting duties on Sunday. The pending free agent was replaced by Maye as New England’s starter midway through the campaign, a move which set him up to depart on the open market this spring.
Maye’s development will be a key determinant in the Patriots’ ability to return to contention, and adding high-end talent via the draft this spring will of course also be imperative. Holding the top pick would be significant if the team were to add its preferred prospect (with Heisman winner Travis Hunter likely being the target of the No. 1 selection) or entertain the possibility of trading down.
With the Bills being locked into the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoff picture, they could rest a number of starters on Sunday. That could help the Patriots’ chances of pulling off an upset win, although choosing to do the same with Maye and Co. would be a move understandably aimed at securing the top pick.
Should start Joe Milton and 2nd/3rd unit guys. Use it as an extra pre season game to see who’s sticking around next year. No sense in losing out on the number one pick and missing out on Travis Hunter cause Bills resting everyone.
This from the guy that supports the 9’er quitter, now thinks quitting is the thing to do?
Pro sports are a business. Integrity comes after profits
Nice job cutting and pasting all your comments from other articles.
“We dont wanna screw with our pick”
I agree play Milton. Patriots have nothing to play for because obviously pride went out the door last week.
The current regime from ownership to coaching is not working,
The same ownership that claimed 6 Vince Lombardi Trophies by way of cheating.
They cheated in 6 Super Bowls? Ive never heard anyone make that outrageous claim before.
Otto doesn’t want to hear about spying on opponents, running up the score, gangstas in the team, deflated footballs, etc., etc.
clown comment.
Smh you are so obsessed/jealous
Milton shouldn’t even be on the roster.
Just fire Mayo and get a real coach
Won’t happen. Pats are afraid of the backlash.
Please please PLEASE sit the starters and lock up the #1 pick, then trade down and get a haul from somebody.
I mean, I’m not in favor of tanking (coaches and/or executives completely underestimate the difficulty of building a winning culture), but if the Pats DO end up losing and nabbing the number one pick, they should absolutely trade it down and soak up the capitol. McMillan or another good receiver will be there, and/or Campbell, in all likelihood. I think that NE gets more utility out of multiple players than just one. Besides, they desperately need a tackle, in addition to a wideout, and you’re not taking Campbell or the Texas tackle 1st overall. They can trade back and still get one (or McMillan or Burden) if they need to, which would also help the offense.
In my mind, the more that you need a specific player, the more reason you have to keep that high pick. The more that you need multiple players, the more reason you have to trade it down. The Pats have their QB, for now at least, and the available options aren’t going to be enough to outweigh the value of picking multiple contributors. I don’t think that this draft is particularly deep or even generationally talented, but New England could build some ammunition for next year if necessary.
The best position to be in for the draft is having the #1 pick AND having a QB you believe is your guy for the next several years.
I say draft Hunter. Pats aren’t doing anything for 3-4 years, anyways, and before they right the ship they need a real coach.
I’m against tanking, particularly when it goes on for weeks or months. That breaks a football team. Still for one game playing all the second and third-string guys is not tanking. Those guys will be playing their hearts out trying to stick on next year’s roster.
It would be crazy for New England to go and win that game.
Arty! And his troll clone need to get a room. Or a couples therapist. Maybe just skip to the divorce…
Hate the Drake!
Hate the Mayo!
I hope we don’t loose that pick. we need number one so we can trade down build our team back up. don’t blow this with a stupid win this weekend.
Yeah, I’d agree. Downside is that I’m not sure who’s the missing piece that’s available this year at the top. The Pats could, and should, trade down to get some ammunition for next year if they nab the first overall. They could still probably take McMillan or Campbell or another useful piece with the incoming pick this year, in all likelihood.
I’m all for giving Mayo another year – nobody expected Wins this season. However, if he plays Maye, he deserves to get fired.