Drake Maye tells reporters they don't know what they're talking about in Munich
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye pushed back on media questions about running back Rhamondre Stevenson's injury during a press conference in Germany ahead of Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye took issue with a line of questioning at a press conference in Germany, telling reporters they did not know what they were talking about. The exchange came as the team prepares for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions in Munich, where the Patriots arrived Thursday ahead of the matchup.
The trigger was a question about running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who has taken part in only partial practices. Stevenson is reportedly out for multiple weeks with a plantaris tendon injury he suffered in Sunday's loss to the Green Bay Packers. When asked about his status, Maye said Stevenson wants to return before the team's bye week, a timeline he presented as the running back's own goal rather than a firm medical prognosis. He framed the answer as a matter of the player's determination, not a promise that the timeline would hold.
The quarterback addressed a group that included both German and American reporters. His tone was reportedly polite rather than angry, but his remarks made clear he felt some of the questions were uninformed about the team's situation. Maye did not single out a specific outlet or writer in the reporting, and the exchange was brief enough that it passed without a larger confrontation in the room. Even so, it drew attention because it offered a rare public glimpse of the frustration that can build around a team in a difficult stretch.
The Patriots now stand at 5-4 on the season, a sharp contrast to the last campaign, when the team lost only three regular-season games and reached the Super Bowl. Maye, now in his third NFL season, has been inconsistent this year after a strong run that carried the team deep into the postseason. The team has also been dealing with a run of injuries, including to wide receiver AJ Brown, and those absences have added pressure to an offense that has needed steady production from its quarterback and skill players alike.
The press conference also came amid months of heavy attention on the organization, including coverage surrounding head coach Mike Vrabel and reporter Dianna Russini. That scrutiny has followed the team through a season in which every decision and absence is closely examined. Against that backdrop, Maye's comments suggest the constant questioning may have worn on him, even as he kept his remarks measured and did not escalate the exchange.
The game in Munich is also part of a broader shift in how the league operates. The NFL approved a record 10 international games for 2027, reflecting a continued push to expand the sport's global footprint. For a team traveling overseas in the middle of a difficult season, the trip adds another layer of logistics and attention, and it places the team's health updates and player availability under a spotlight that extends well beyond the usual press room in Foxborough.
Source: foxnews.com
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