QUARTERBACK DRAKE MAYE
PRESS CONFERENCE
January 14, 2026
Q: What's it been like this week watching a film festival of the Houston defense?
DM: They fly around, they're relentless. They're great up front, they're great in the back end, they've got great linebackers. They're great all around. They have great coaching. So, we've got our hands full, and we know it's going to be a tough game. We've got to play the game the right way, and we've got great players all around. Man, all the hype is fulfilling and deserving from what I've seen on film. So, we've got to be able to stay ahead of the chains, and I know we've got a tough task, but we're going to have our hands full. Play complimentary football, and from there, just try to find ways to pick up first downs and score some points.
Q: What did you get, just psychologically, out of getting that first playoff win under your belt and out of the way?
DM: I wouldn't say out of the way, just trying to do my part to try to win the game. Any playoff game is pressure, and trying to play in the postseason, winning postseason games is tough in this league. So, I was proud to be able to do it in front of a home crowd and with our defense that helped me out and helped us out a good bit. So, I've got to do better of not putting the football in harm's way, and from there, just try to do my best to score touchdowns in the red zone. Stuff like that matters in the postseason even more than the regular season. So, do something there and make some throws, but just keep playing football.
Q: Generally speaking, when you have a defense like them, it's going to be an X, Y, or Z, and that's pretty much it. What do you think is the best way to approach things offensively? Kind of a similar scheme as opposed to a defense that's trying to disguise more.
DM: Well, the thing about the Texans is what they do, they're good at it. They're really good at it. They do it a lot. They've got different ways. They play some man coverage. They play some zone. They've got eyes on the quarterback. They've got eyes on creating turnovers. Their guys in the back end are great at getting their hands on the football and catching it when there's somebody throwing it. So, they've got good players outside. I think for us, offensively, just try to stay ahead of the chains. Scheme-wise, just do things that we're good at and try to find a way every week to scheme something up if we see it, but at the same time, just try to stay ahead of the chains and know what type of game it is.
Q: Rhamondre [Stevenson] has gone through an awful lot over the course of the last year or so. As a teammate, how much can you appreciate the fact of what he's been able to overcome, maybe, and then his success that he's had, particularly over the last month?
DM: Yeah, man, it's been awesome to watch. I think the biggest thing is he hasn't wavered, and we haven't shied away from trusting in him. I think that's the biggest thing coaching-wise and teammate-wise. We knew what type of player he was, what type of player he can be in this league. As you've seen it, it's been such a great deal to watch him kind of bounce back and have some early season woes, and that's just part of life. He hasn't blinked. He's had some things off the field and on the field, and he's just kept his head down and has become a great player for us. He's been fun to watch.
Q: Drake, Mike [Vrabel] was talking about before, too, that it's not the idea of with this front four and defensive backs getting the ball out quicker, but getting the ball out on time. Against this defense, how difficult is it to get it out on time?
DM: I think the DBs and the guys in coverage know that up front, they're good. So, that gives them a capability to maybe try to take some more chances, knowing the rush could get home. We faced them last year, so I got a little bit of a feel for it in my first start. I was kind of just trying to stay alive out there. So, I know these guys are great up front, they're great in the back end, and you've got to be good. You've got to be firing on all cylinders.
Q: Your first start was against the Texans, and now kind of like a full-circle moment, you'll be facing them in the playoffs. What's that feeling like?
DM: That feels like, shoot, 10 years ago. It's been a long journey. So, it's just, I'll take some time, probably, to just look back and see what the journey's been like. I know it's hard to do that in such a sped-up time in the postseason, where there are so many things you're trying to do, finish and think about. But no, just takes some time to reflect. Running out there with the first snap jitters was pretty cool. It was fun to look back on. We'll hopefully have a different outcome from the game, but definitely take some time to appreciate where we've come and how much work we still have to do, especially myself.
Q: With a defense like this that you said flies around, what do you think you'll have to be aware of when you make a decision to be a runner?
DM: Those guys, especially the linebacker level, they're going to try to take your head off, and respect them for it. They do it at a really high level. They tackle the ball carrier hard, and they'll punish them, and they'll make you pay for it. So, I've got to have a good deal about and a good feel about when to take chances and when to be smart because the linebackers are good, and they do a good job of delivering some big-time hits. So, that's this league, knowing to protect myself and try to be good. So, I think I scrambled a couple times last year, and since then, I've seen some of those guys on tape just take some guys out of the game. Even their corners, [Derek Stingley Jr.] and [Kamari] Lassiter, those guys are good players in the run game and tackling.
Q: Back to the tape of that game against Houston. What do you see from the quarterback? What do you see from yourself in that game?
DM: Different schemes, so it's hard to relate it to now. Some chances. We'd won some in man coverage; we're going to have to do that again. They're really good in man coverage. Stayed ahead of the chains, enough to get into passing downs. We had a chance to come out of the half and had a strip sack. So, just little things like that. You've got to keep yourself in the game and know that a little play like that can flip the tides.
Q: Drake, I know you don't want to mess with the mac and cheese on offense, but how important is it to introduce tweaks and things just to keep a defense on the back foot and make sure that they can't take away your core tendencies?
DM: It's a tough balance, trying to keep stuff you're good at and also trying to mix in some things that are maybe new or fresh to try to keep them on their toes. So, it's definitely a tough balance. I think we do a good job of trying to mix in some new stuff and try to keep some of our same stuff. So, I'm trying not to give too much of an advantage if they're listening, but I think there's definitely an even balance.
Q: This is your second season with the team, and you already have such a huge fan base, whether you think it's warranted or not. A huge cult-like following. How does that help you in this playoff run?
DM: Other than the cheers and stuff, just try to give them something to cheer about more. I'm really not thinking too much about it. Like I said, I appreciate how the fans have embraced me and took me into New England as a southern kid. So, I've just enjoyed it. I try to enjoy it and give them something to cheer about more.
Q: All year long, when the play breaks down – which probably will happen given how good they are this weekend – how do you figure out when to extend the play or just go down and move on to the next play?
DM: Yeah, if there's somebody on defense that's going to hit me hard, I try to go down. If there's somewhere I can make some play and make room to scramble a little bit, I try to go make a play.
Q: All year long, Mike Vrabel has reminded you guys to enjoy this, to have fun. How important has that been, and is it more important at this time of year?
DM: Yeah, we were just talking about how there's 24 teams at home right now. There's eight of us practicing and still working. He mentioned to us today before practice, 'Take a look, raise your hand, who was still practicing this time last year?' I think Milt [Milton Williams] was the only one. So, it was just eye-opening to see, man, there's eight teams left. It's a chance and an opportunity that we have to play a home football game and a home playoff game that matters, at times when it matters most. So, just kind of reflect on that and realize the opportunity we have, how much work we've done to get here and enjoy it. At the same time, he just reminded us to take advantage of it and know that we've got a chance.
Q: You took some hard hits against the Chargers. How much do those hits add up over the course of the year?
DM: I credit my guy Zach [Gerber] in the training room. He does a great job of keeping me healthy. I think just trying to get back to my level and feel like you're as close to 100% as you can be. You not always are, and some days you feel better than the others, but I pride myself in trying to be at every practice, be at every game and be that way. Really, I think the biggest thing is I'm young, so I'm fortunate enough not to feel as much as some of those older guys do. I think I've got a little scrape on my hand, but other than that, I feel great.
Q: The Texans defense emphasizes turnovers. Given what happened in the Chargers game, is there anything you can take away from that and also now put forward to this game?
DM: The tipped interception, it is what it is. I think I could have done a better job of seeing the guy and maybe not try to throw Hoop [Austin Hooper] at the backside and let him get across. The fumble, the last fumble, I just held the football. You can't do that this week because again, you can't do it, especially when we're cutting on the edge in quick game. You can't do things like that. Protect the football and from there, just kind of know when that timer has gone off in my head, and I feel like I've had a good feel for that this year. I've just got to keep that in mind and know those guys on the edge are great players. I got to know them. I know Will [Anderson Jr.], I got to know [Danielle] Hunter at the Pro Bowl. So, I know these guys and they're great dudes, but they're great players and want to get sacks. So, they've got some good guys inside as well that have played great; they played great last week. So, I know we've got a tough job, but at the same time, just have some mental checklist stuff, and from there, just play football and use my teammates.
