New England will stick with Brissett moving forward.
New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said the team is “100 percent” sticking with Jacoby Brissett as the team’s starting quarterback. It’s a move that Mayo believes continues to be best for the team.
“He’s done a good job doing what we’ve ask. Are there a lot of plays that we could do a better job with? Absolutely,” the head coach said in his Monday morning media availability. “I will never question his toughness, his dependability, his leadership style for this team — and that’s what we need right now.”
The early season returns have not been positive for Brissett, who has thrown for just 536 yards and two touchdowns over the first four games. Brissett also threw his first interception of the season on Sunday, in what Mayo called a poor decision and throw.
The veteran has been under siege to start the season, however, as team’s have not been afraid to blitz New England’s patchwork offensive line. Brissett has faced a league-high 49.6 percent pressure rate, according to Next Gen Stats, while being sacked 15 times and taking 40 hits.
Moving forward with Brissett will keep rookie Drake Maye on the sideline for now, a move Mayo knows can be frustrating for viewers.
“[Everyone] wants to see the third overall pick play, and I understand the frustration,” Mayo said Monday morning on WEEI. “What we’re doing is what we think is best. What I’m doing is what I think is best for the Patriots today and also in the future. And that’s how I have to look at these things.”
He added, “We came into the season with a plan. And we’re going to execute that plan, knowing that we’ll take our bumps and bruises along the way.”
Mayo stated the decision on when to make a change ultimately comes down to him, but he does not believe the rookie would provide a spark at this point.
“He’s a rookie, he’s going to take his bumps and bruises along the way as well,” Mayo said on WEEI. “It’s not like a knight coming in and saving the world. There’s still going to be these conversations.”