The New England Patriots are heading into Super Bowl LX with confidence after defeating the Denver Broncos 10-7 in the AFC Championship game, but a recent comment from a respected doctor has raised some doubts about the Patriots’ star quarterback.
ProFootballDoc Raises Red Flags on Maye’s Shoulder
Dr. David Chao, also known as ProFootballDoc and a former NFL team physician, expressed concern about Drake Maye’s throwing shoulder after the Patriots quarterback took a hit against the Denver Broncos.
Chao said Maye hurt his right shoulder. While the exact diagnosis remains unclear, the potential seriousness of the injury is enough to raise concern so close to the biggest game of the season.
In his post, Chao said he is far more concerned about Maye’s shoulder than Sam Darnold’s oblique injury heading into the Super Bowl. That comparison alone caught attention across NFL circles, especially given how important Maye has been to New England’s rapid return to title contention under Mike Vrabel.
Drake Maye injured his right throwing shoulder against the Broncos. How severe the injury is, and the exact diagnosis, remains to be determined. Heading into Super Bowl LX, I’m far more concerned about Maye’s shoulder than Sam Darnold’s oblique. pic.twitter.com/kHQb9Q8q6D
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) January 26, 2026
Chao’s concern stems from the nature of shoulder injuries for quarterbacks. Even minor issues can affect accuracy, which can raise concerns about the signal caller’s confidence, particularly when they involve the throwing arm. He suggested that the mechanism of the injury against Denver was troubling, even though the Patriots have not released any official diagnosis.
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The timing could not be worse. Maye has been the engine of the Patriots’ offense throughout the postseason, and any limitation could drastically change how New England approaches Super Bowl LX.
Other Doctors Push Back on Speculation
Not everyone in the medical community agrees with Chao’s approach. Sports medicine physician Dr. Brian Sutterer publicly criticized the comments, calling them “irresponsible nonsense” and pushing back against drawing conclusions without imaging or confirmed team information.
Sutterer emphasized that speculating on injury severity based solely on broadcast footage or limited angles can mislead fans and create unnecessary issues and panic. His response highlights a broader debate in sports media about how much weight should be given to public medical analysis without access to full clinical data.
This pushback does not necessarily mean Chao is wrong, but it does underline that, at this stage, everything remains speculative.
The Patriots have been predictably tight-lipped. No official injury designation has been announced, and Maye has not spoken publicly about any discomfort. The next time Maye will speak to the media will be after an injury report is released to the public.
The information that I have at this moment is that any Maye “injury” to his throwing shoulder is not believed to be an issue
— Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) January 27, 2026
Historically, New England has been cautious with injury disclosures, especially during playoff runs.
Why This Matters So Much for Super Bowl LX
If Maye is limited in any way, it changes the entire complexion of the Super Bowl. New England’s offense is built around his arm talent and ability to attack all levels of the field.
Even a slight shoulder issue could force a more conservative game plan.
At the same time, it is important to separate fact from fear. Until the Patriots confirm a diagnosis or Maye shows visible limitations, this remains a watch-and-wait situation.
For now, the Patriots and their fans are stuck in the uncomfortable middle ground between expert concern and expert disagreement. The truth about Drake Maye’s shoulder will likely define the final days leading up to Super Bowl LX.
