This Preseason Narrative ‘Overblown?’ Pushing Back On Jerod Mayo Take

Jerod Mayo believes the concerns linking the New England Patriots’ offensive line and quarterback situation have been dramatized.

Mayo on Wednesday was asked about New England’s preseason finale against the Washington Commanders, and if he thought the units struggles should play a role in the Patriots starting quarterback. Mayo and the Patriots announced Thursday that veteran Jacoby Brissett will start.

“I think some of that stuff is being overblown,” Mayo told reporters, per a team-provided transcript. “I would say we averaged five yards a carry (against the Commanders), it was one sack and two quarterback hits.

“I mean, if you were to say that was the stat line, you would be okay with that.”

During the latest episode of NESN’s “Boston Has Entered The Chat,” NESN.com’s Sean T. McGuire pushed back at that notion from Mayo. McGuire reflected on similar comments from vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf, who expressed confidence in the offensive line because it fared better in the preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles than in the joint practice.

“I don’t agree with it,” McGuire told co-hosts Natalie Noury and Ountae Campbell.

“New England was going against Washington’s backups. Jonathan Allen was not playing that preseason finale. So you’re talking about your starting offensive line going up against backups, I can’t feel any sort of satisfaction when it comes to that.”

You can listen to NESN’s “Boston Has Entered The Chat” on YouTube and Spotify.