The New England Patriots fanbase expressed minimal patience with starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett during Week 4 against the San Francisco 49ers, wasting no time calling for rookie quarterback Drake Maye to take the field instead.
Rob Gronkowski, a nine-year friend of New England's program, leveled with Patriots fans but didn't agree with the proposal of sitting Brissett and starting Maye. Watching from afar, now as an analyst for FOX Sports, Gronkowski understood the frustrations with what's become a routine struggle to scratch and claw toward the end zone ever since the season kicked off and Brissett took over.
"New England Patriots fans, I know what you're saying. 'Put Drake Maye in, this offense needs a spark,'" Gronkowski said on FOX's Patriots-49ers halftime show. "But I'm telling you, it will be the same old story with Drake Maye in, if he replaces Jacoby Brissett. He'll be getting sacked. The offensive line will be letting guys go through, putting pressure on him. You don't want to ruin his confidence. Wait until at least Week 12."
New England, so far, has logged a minor sample size in throwing Maye into the fire. The 22-year-old debuted in Week 3 against the New York Jets and immediately received a rookie's welcome to the NFL in the form of two sacks, including a vicious body slam drop from 216-pound linebacker Jamien Sherwood. Maye completed 4-of-8 passes for 22 yards, throwing no touchdowns or interceptions, but the 4:24 garbage time debut proved that the crumb-cake Patriots offensive line isn't equipped to protect the organization's No. 3 overall pick, nor is it worth watching a potential worst-case scenario unfold.
Story continues below advertisement
Brissett walked into Levi's Stadium in San Francisco already having been sacked nine times through New England's first three games, which ranks 10th for the most times any quarterback has been sacked this season. The red flags remain red, and it's not Brissett, therefore, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has little to no reason to give Maye the green light amid what's been yet another ugly year for New England.
Featured image via Neville E. Guard/Imagn Images
