Jacoby Brissett Isn’t Going To Last The Season

By Steve Atkinson 

I am concerned about the lack of protection for Jacoby Brissett from the offensive line in Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks. It seemed like he might have had to leave the game at times. Given the circumstances, I think the Patriots should have signed a veteran backup for Brissett in case he needs to miss time due to injury. Here is Mayo on Monday talking about the offensive line

Let’s start with the run game. The run game, we talked about being tough and physical up front. I think we’ve shown that in preseason and through these first couple of weeks of the regular season. In the pass game, I would say there were spurts of clean pockets, but it needs to be more consistent. I would also say, as we got into the second half – I mean, I’m not telling you guys anything you didn’t see – but as it got to the second half, our pass-pro kind of broke down a little bit more. I still believe that we have a well-conditioned team, but I would say, on both sides of the ball yesterday, you saw a lot of hands on hips. You have to be able to push through that adversity, still be on the same page and ultimately execute.

With the Patriots having a short week and facing the New York Jets on Thursday night, there’s a worry about Brissett’s potential need to leave the game due to injury, and whether the backup, Drake Maye, would be ready to step in. If Maye has to go in, there’s a concern that he might not be ready, given that he hasn’t started the season.

The Patriots are a more competitive team this year, playing for Jerod Mayo. Brissett has the confidence of his head coach, which was lacking last year. Having a quarterback with the trust of the head coach is crucial for him mentally, and this was also lacking a year ago.

Brissett hasn’t turned the ball over, but when you have the confidence of the head coach, that helps you mentally. Last season, Mac Jones had no chance because of the PTSD of 2022. The team is pretty much night and day from a year ago, thanks to the buy-in.

The Patriots can beat the Jets because Aaron Rodgers isn’t all in like Brady was with the Buccaneers in 2020. Rodgers missed mini-camp for a trip to Egypt to look at pyramids. That operation will fall apart in no time. Rodgers only cares about himself and that works in the Patriots’ favor. If the Patriots take care of the football and are able to score touchdowns in the Red zone they have a chance.

David Andrews had some thoughts on the offense.

We’ve got to get more production from our passing game, which is something I’ve always said is a team effort from everybody. It’s not just one person or one position group,” Andrews said. “It takes a team — all 11 guys on offense — and that’s what we will try to do this week.”