Patriots Rookie Wide Receiver Offers Refreshing View Of Role

When Javon Baker was drafted by the Patriots, he said his game could make people in wheelchairs stand up, but the rookie mostly sat on the sidelines through the first seven games of his career.

Fans were excited to the 22-year-old as part of New England’s rebuilt offense led by Drake Maye and Ja’Lynn Polk. However, a disappointing training camp and preseason left Baker to play special teams in two games and inactive for four of the first seven games of the season.

Baker could have taken a page out of his teammates’ playbook and expressed his frustrations on social media. But the rookie wideout chose a different outlook.

“Just a matter of time. Just a learning moment, it teaches me patience,” Baker told Sophie Weller of A to Z Sports on Thursday. “It’s waiting. I’ve been waiting all my life for stuff like this anyway. I’ve been in this position either way. When I was in college, I was in a position. So it’s not a chip on my shoulder thing. It’s just being patient.”

Baker was active on social media this week. However, his post was more straightforward about his standing with the Patriots.

“I hated every minute of training, but I said don’t quit,” Baker’s Instagram story read. “Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.”

Baker’s response to his role or lack thereof was refreshing after Polk and K.J. Osborn took to social media after last Sunday’s loss to express their frustrations. Kendrick Bourne on Thursday praised Baker for his role on the scout team, and it could be rewarded if Polk remains in the concussion protocol this Sunday.