The New England Patriots had high expectations after seeing flashes of greatness during quarterback Drake Maye’s rookie season. The second-year signal-caller has responded through six weeks by leading the offense up and down the field.
However, Maye faced a scary moment when his head came down hard on the turf during the Patriots’ opening drive of the second half. While he went out of the game to get looked at, fans questioned a quick, questionable concussion check.
What Happened to New England Patriots QB Drake Maye?
Maye has been dealing in Week 7 against the Tennessee Titans, continuing his impressive start to the 2025 season. He tossed two touchdowns in the first half, helping the Patriots build a 17-13 lead going into halftime.
The Patriots kept things going with a strong opening drive in the second half, with Maye completing two 20-plus-yard passes. However, he also got brought down hard by Titans cornerback Roger McCreary after a six-yard scramble, causing his head to bounce hard off the turf. He would get up and shake his head and wound up getting pulled for a concussion evaluation that lasted all of three plays.
Praying for Drake Maye 🙏pic.twitter.com/NChZAnskls
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 19, 2025
With Maye going in and out of the blue medical tent in seemingly no time at all, some fans were quick to question how seriously the Patriots and the NFL took his head trauma, with the young quarterback playing well against the Titans. This user posted a GIF on X showing how lax the concussion check seemed.
Drake Maye being evaluated for concussion in the medical tent: pic.twitter.com/Z3McAlJGw6
— JRF (@jrobby6) October 19, 2025
Another user shared the sentiment, explaining, “There’s just no way concussion protocol is real if Maye’s back in already.”
There’s just no way concussion protocol is real if Maye’s back in already
— Carlos Garcia (@CG_FlyTheW) October 19, 2025
One Dolphins fan compared the situation to the many times quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has gone down due to head-related injuries, saying, “Drake Maye goes down and returns with the fastest concussion protocol check to date. Tua would be forced to retire on the spot.”
Drake Maye goes down and returns with the fastest Concussion Protocol check to date. Tua would be forced to retire on the spot
— Dolphins Brawl ™️ (@DolphinsBrawl) October 19, 2025
Meanwhile, another fan pointed out that Maye has practically admitted how to avoid being pulled from the field in a previous press conference, reposting the video and saying, “Drake Maye bragging about how he knows how to avoid concussion protocol.”
Drake Maye bragging about how he knows how to avoid concussion protocol. https://t.co/xLnS2vLCTN
— 🃏 ¡sʇɐԀ ʅʅoɹꓕ 🃏 (@TrollPats) October 19, 2025
No matter how the fans felt, Maye would finish the Patriots’ drive, leading them to a touchdown from running back Rhamondre Stevenson, continuing to build on the QB’s incredible start to the 2025 season.
Hopefully, the Patriots star stays healthy as he is a legitimate MVP contender this season along with the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Baker Mayfield.
