Patriots Stick with Brissett Amid Persistence of Offensive Struggles
Despite an underwhelming 1-3 start to the season and an offense that seems to be groping for its rhythm, the New England Patriots appear resolute in their decision to stick with Jacoby Brissett as their starting quarterback. This choice comes even as calls for rookie Drake Maye to get a chance grow louder.
Brissett's recent performance against the San Francisco 49ers did little to silence his critics. The Patriots suffered a 30-19 defeat, with Brissett’s play marred by questionable decisions, including an interception that was returned for a touchdown. The Patriots, who had high expectations for Maye when they selected him with the No. 3 overall pick, have so far kept the rookie on the sidelines, watching Brissett helm the struggling offense.
Head coach Jerod Mayo has been clear about where things stand as of now. "That's not the plan right now," Mayo said, referring to the idea of giving Maye a shot at the starting role. This stance has placed Mayo’s strategic decision-making under a microscope, especially as the team stumbles through a challenging season.
Former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who once coached Brissett during his first stint with the team, isn't in the loop regarding Maye’s development. "I'll be honest with you, I have no idea what the plan is so I don't know, I can't comment on that," Belichick admitted. "If Mayo says he's got a plan, then I guess he's got one, and we'll have to wait to see what it is ... we'll see, we'll see what the plan is. I have no idea what it is."
Belichick’s last season with New England was tumultuous, characterized by quarterback instability involving Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. The constant shifting between Jones and Zappe ultimately saw Jones benched and Zappe taking over as the starter. Belichick's observation that the Patriots "can't move the ball and can't score" echoes the current struggles facing Mayo and his quarterback choice.
The scrutiny on Brissett has intensified as his uneven performances provide little confidence to a restless fanbase. Each game becomes a referendum on whether the Patriots should pivot to Maye, a sentiment growing stronger with each loss. While the team publicly supports Brissett, the underlying tension is palpable.
As the Patriots dig deeper into their season, the effectiveness of Mayo's plan—or the lack thereof—will be a defining narrative. The mounting pressure on Brissett to deliver better results could potentially push Mayo to reconsider his current stance, especially if the losses continue to stack up.
For now, despite the clamor from the fans and external voices, the Patriots are steadfast in backing their current starter. Whether this loyalty will pay off or force a mid-season reassessment remains to be seen. As Belichick succinctly put it, "There are a number of issues there," and how Mayo addresses these issues will significantly impact the Patriots’ fortunes this season.