Picture this: Your rookie sensation, Drake Maye, is throwing dimes in practice. He’s got a preseason passer rating of 86.9, making veteran Jacoby Brissett‘s 14.6 look like a typo. You’d think it’s a no-brainer, right? Start the kid! But here’s the rub – your offensive line just gave up 15 sacks in a joint practice with the Eagles. Fifteen! That’s not a stat; that’s a cry for help.

Now Mayo finds himself juggling a hot potato – or in this case, a promising rookie quarterback and an offensive line that’s about as sturdy as a house of cards in a wind tunnel. Adam Schefter, speaking on NFL Live, dropped a bombshell that sets the stage for this drama: “Drake May has outplayed Jacobe Brissett, but [Mayo] also talked during the day about the fact that it’s not all about performance.” This revelation suggests that Mayo’s decision isn’t just about who throws the prettiest spiral.

Mina Kimes, on the same show, hit the nail on the head: “I don’t think it’s because of Jacoby Brissett. I think it’s because this offensive line might be nonfunctional.” Her words cut to the heart of the Patriots‘ predicament.

During the preseason finale against the Washington Commanders, the Patriots’ O-line put on a clinic on how not to protect a quarterback. Their performance was a blooper reel of miscues: one sack, two bad snaps, a false start, two holding penalties, and three illegal formation flags. Oh, and let’s not forget the moment when an offensive lineman accidentally turned Drake Maye into Cinderella, dislodging the quarterback’s shoe mid-play.

Mayo didn’t mince words when addressing the issue. He told WEEI in Boston, “This is a true competition and I would say at this current point, Drake has outplayed Jacoby.” Dan Orlovsky, breaking down Maye’s performance on NFL Live, noted significant improvements: “His feet being in balance, being in structure… The mechanics of the lower half have gotten so much better in a five or six-month period.”

This progress was evident when Maye connected with Jaylen Polk on a perfect crosser, showcasing the potential that made him the third overall pick. However, all this potential could evaporate faster than a puddle in the Sahara if Maye spends more time on his back than in his pocket. As Mayo candidly put it, “We’ve all seen the horror stories of rookie QBs getting thrown to the wolves.”

Executive VP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf repeatedly emphasized the importance of building the right infrastructure to support a rookie quarterback, particularly after the struggles seen with Mac Jones. This sentiment aligns with Mayo’s cautious approach to Maye’s debut.

So, what’s a coach to do? According to NFL insider Josina Anderson on August 28, “There are some sentiments within the building that it still may be best to have veteran QB Jacoby Brissett start the season given his experience, at this time.” This lean toward Brissett isn’t about crowning him the next Tom Brady, but about finding a human shield who can withstand the offensive line’s shortcomings.

Jacoby Brissett is the human shield

Brissett’s durability was on display during Sunday’s preseason game when he took a hit that would’ve had most of us updating our wills. Mayo later revealed, “He would’ve been able to continue.” That’s the kind of toughness you need when your offensive line is in shambles.

Brissett’s experience as a starter, including his 2022 season with the Cleveland Browns where he threw for 2,608 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions, adds weight to the argument for his selection as the starter.

The Patriots’ line woes aren’t just about missed blocks. They’re collecting penalties like they’re going out of style. By starting Brissett, Mayo isn’t just protecting Maye’s body; he’s safeguarding the future of the franchise. It’s a delicate balance between development and destruction, and right now, the scales are tipping towards caution.

As Mayo explained after the Commander’s game, “Look, we always say, the best players are going to play. No matter if it’s at quarterback or if it’s at offensive line. It doesn’t matter.” But in this case, “best” might mean “best equipped to survive behind a porous line.”

So while fans might be chomping at the bit to see Maye sling it from day one, Mayo’s playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers. It’s not about who gives them the best chance to win right now; it’s about who gives them the best chance to still have a functioning quarterback by season’s end.

As the Patriots navigate this quarterback quandary, they’re not just weighing individual performances but considering the long-term implications for the team. Mayo summed it up best when he said, “We have to take in the full body of work going all the way back to the spring and the beginning of training camp.” It’s a reminder that in the NFL, decisions are rarely as simple as they seem from the outside. The Patriots’ 2024 season opener against the Bengals on September 8 looms large, and all eyes will be on Mayo’s ultimate decision.