Here’s what’s actually going on. The team is currently in Phase 1 of their offseason program, which runs from April 22 to April 25. This phase is strictly voluntary, so players are not required to attend. That means Maye isn’t doing anything wrong by not showing up—or not being shown—in the video.
Can confirm… the boys are 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 👋 pic.twitter.com/6vyq62AAym
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 7, 2025
Still, fans were hoping he’d be there, especially with all the buzz surrounding the trade of quarterback Joe Milton III. That move stirred up some controversy, and there have been rumors suggesting that Maye wasn’t thrilled about Milton being drafted in the first place. According to reports, Maye and Milton had a strong connection. They met at the Manning Passing Academy, trained together, and supported each other. Maye once called Milton “my guy,” so when Milton was traded to the Cowboys for a 2025 fifth-round pick, it felt personal to many fans.
Fueling the speculation further was a report that Maye left the locker room without speaking to anyone after the Patriots’ final game of the season and didn’t show up for locker cleanout day. That report, coming from Boston sports columnist Ben Volin, hinted that the Milton trade may have been made to keep Maye happy. Volin has a mixed reputation with fans, but he’s known to have decent sources.
Back to the video: it featured several key players—Pop Douglas, Stefon Diggs, Christian Gonzalez, Kyle Dugger, Kendrick Bourne—but not Maye. This led fans to question whether his absence was due to something deeper than just a missed workout. Some tried to rationalize it, suggesting maybe Maye had arrived early and wasn’t in the video because of that. Others just wanted the reassurance of seeing their future quarterback on screen as a sign of commitment and unity under new head coach Mike Vrabel.
Adding to the intrigue, Maye had recently been seen alongside former Patriots coach Bill Belichick at a UNC practice, which fans couldn’t help but read into. That sighting added an unexpected layer of drama, considering Belichick’s departure and the team’s current leadership transition.
Ultimately, many fans turned to sarcasm and humor to cope with their concerns. Some joked about sports radio shows turning Maye’s absence into a major scandal, complete with wild theories about him hating the team or being lazy. It was classic New England sports culture—overanalyzing every move and reading between the lines, even when nothing may be there.
In the end, the missing face in a 30-second video became a symbol of bigger anxieties. The team is trying to move forward with a new identity and quarterback, but Maye’s brief absence gave fans just enough uncertainty to start wondering if everything is truly on track.