Drake Maye’s legs vs Seattle’s defense: A Super Bowl X‑factor

As the countdown to Super Bowl LX ticks down, all eyes are on New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, whose combination of arm talent and athleticism has posed unique challenges for opposing defenses this postseason.

How Drake Maye’s mobility could define Super Bowl LX

Maye, 23, is no stranger to extending plays with his legs. During the AFC playoffs, he ran for 65 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries against the Broncos, and earlier, against the Chargers, he had 66 yards rushing on 10 carries, including a 37-yard scramble at the end of the first half that set up a field goal. His ability to turn broken plays into positive yardage has made him a dual threat that defenses can’t ignore.

Seattle’s defenders were candid about the challenge he presents. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence called Maye’s mobility “a gift and a curse”, noting that while extended plays can give the Patriots QB more time to make throws, it also opens opportunities for the defensive line to create pressure. Defensive tackle Leonard Williams echoed that sentiment.

“His mobility is his biggest challenge, I would say,” Williams said. “He makes great throws and things like that. But it’s hard to rush disciplined and not rush scared at the same time. Sometimes when a defensive line is preparing for a scrambling quarterback... they rush differently than they normally do. ...We want to make sure that we’re still staying true to ourselves while also being aware he can make plays on the field, and it may happen at times throughout the game, and just keep calm.”

How the Seahawks defense has fared vs mobile QBs

The Seahawks have had mixed results defending mobile quarterbacks this season. In the regular season, they were strong, allowing just 6.7 yards per quarterback scramble, ranking 11th in the league, and were second-best in preventing first downs on these plays.

But the postseason has exposed some vulnerabilities. Against the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Chargers, scramble attempts produced 57 yards on seven plays, averaging 8.1 yards per attempt.

When it comes to “broken-play” passes (passes thrown off-platform after escaping the pocket), Seattle allowed the 10th-most yards in the regular season, with five broken-play touchdowns, tying for the league lead. In the playoffs, these throws yielded a 7.1 yards-per-attempt average and a 47.7 QB rating, with just one interception recorded.

How Patriots plan to use Maye’s legs

Patriots defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald’s system may inadvertently create opportunities for Maye to exploit. With two safeties deployed deep, the pass rush often has room to stunt and switch positions, potentially leaving gaps that Maye can run into or use to reset plays.

Macdonald praised his quarterback’s decision-making and trust in his athleticism, noting that Maye has consistently protected the football while maximizing the value of his scrambling ability. For the Seahawks, understanding where Maye will step up, roll out, or move vertically will be a key part of their game plan.

Injury update and outlook

A shoulder injury limited Maye in practice last week, but the quarterback assured the media he is “just fine”, and Seattle expects the same.

The matchup is shaping up as one of the most intriguing X-factors of Super Bowl LX. While the Patriots and Seahawks have battled throughout the postseason, it’s the ability of Maye to turn ordinary plays into explosive ones that could ultimately turn the championship in either team’s favor.

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