Patriots Urged to Add 'Massive Mismatch Chess Piece' for QB Drake Maye

Ex-NFL QB Robert Griffin III believes the New England Patriots should pursue one of the top deep-ball WRs in the NFL.

Feb. 20, 2026 at 12:23am

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In the aftermath of their Super Bowl LX loss, the New England Patriots are being urged to sign free agent wide receiver Tyreek Hill to pair with quarterback Drake Maye. Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III believes Hill, when healthy, could provide a "massive mismatch chess piece" for Maye's deep-ball throwing abilities.

Why it matters

The Patriots' offense struggled in the Super Bowl, with top receiver Stefon Diggs limited to just 3 catches. Adding a dynamic deep threat like Hill could elevate the Patriots' passing attack and give them a better chance at winning a championship with Maye at QB.

The details

The Patriots came up short in Super Bowl LX, losing 29-13 to the Seattle Seahawks. Quarterback Drake Maye had a solid game, throwing for 295 yards, 2 TDs and 2 INTs, but most of his production came in garbage time. Wide receiver Mack Hollins was the team's leading receiver, while Stefon Diggs and Hunter Henry were held in check. Former Washington QB Robert Griffin III believes the Patriots should pursue free agent Tyreek Hill, who could provide a "massive mismatch" for Maye's deep-ball skills, if Hill can return to 90% of his previous form after a season-ending knee injury.

  • The Patriots lost Super Bowl LX on February 11, 2026.
  • Tyreek Hill played in just 4 games in 2025 before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

The players

Drake Maye

The Patriots' second-year starting quarterback.

Tyreek Hill

An eight-time Pro Bowl wide receiver who is currently a free agent after suffering a season-ending knee injury in 2025.

Robert Griffin III

A former NFL quarterback who is now an analyst and has urged the Patriots to sign Tyreek Hill.

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What they’re saying

“The New England Patriots need to sign Tyreek Hill. Drake Maye was the best deep ball thrower in football this year. If Tyreek Hill gets back to 90% of what he was, the Patriots get a massive mismatch chess piece on their board.”

— Robert Griffin III, Former NFL quarterback (X)

What’s next

Tyreek Hill's recovery from his knee injury and whether the Patriots pursue him in free agency will be closely watched in the offseason.

The takeaway

The Patriots' Super Bowl loss highlighted the need for them to add more dynamic playmakers to their offense. Signing a healthy Tyreek Hill could provide the perfect complement to Drake Maye's deep-ball skills and take their passing attack to new heights.