Vrabel Denies Report of Rift With Maye

Mike Vrabel took the podium Wednesday and was asked about a WEEI report of friction with Drake Maye. "Unnamed sources. My favorite," Vrabel said. He added: "Let me just tell you why I'm here. I'm here because Drake was the quarterback. Believe it or not, I had choices as to where I wanted to coach. I wanted to coach here because Drake was the quarterback." New England is 1-2 after a 35-6 loss to Jacksonville on Sept. 27. Maye has one touchdown, six interceptions and one lost fumble—a league-high seven turnovers. Last season he was MVP runner-up (4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 14-3) before a Super Bowl LX loss to Seattle in which he hurt a shoulder. Playoff turnovers that year totaled eight in four games. What is contested is the relationship claim itself. Greg Hill said he and Jermaine Wiggins were "whispered to" by an insider that an issue "goes back to (day one)" and that Maye was not Vrabel's guy. Vrabel rejected the unnamed-source account and said he had little else to add. On Monday he told Hill's show the team must relax and stop forcing plays that are not there. The next test is the 3-0 Bills on Sunday.