NFL analyst John Frascella had something to say for the New England Patriots’ head coach Jerod Mayo. The NFL analyst and insider made a recent post on X highlighting Mayo’s decision for the Patriots’ team.

Frascella calls it a “CRITICAL MISTAKE” to start Jacoby Brissett over rookie Drake Maye. He lays out several reasons why starting Brissett is a blunder. For one, the Patriots aren’t expected to make much noise this season, so the pressure on Maye wouldn’t be overwhelming. “Why not let Maye get those crucial reps against starting defenses now?” Frascella questions. By default the Patriots are thin on playmakers, desperately in need of Maye’s natural ability to create offense. “They’re just delaying the inevitable,” he says, adding that throwing Maye into the fire now could accelerate his development. It would be very similar to legends Peyton Manning and John Elway, who both endured brutal rookie seasons but emerged stronger for it.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport chimed in, confirming Mayo’s decision to go with Brissett. Rapoport reported that Brissett believes he’s not only the “perfect person to mentor” the 21-year-old, but also the “perfect person to start.” However, Frascella isn’t the only one questioning Mayo’s judgment. Many have voiced concerns over the optics, especially with teams like the Bears and Broncos confidently starting their rookies.

Critics are circling Mayo, arguing that sticking with Brissett sends the wrong message. As Frascella puts it, “This is just brutal decision-making by Mayo and the Patriots staff.” Only time will tell now if this decision pays off or if the critics are right.

The debate on the Pats’ starter QB was clearly a heated one. Regarding the decision of Brissett as the Week 1 starter, Mayo stated, “We are 100% behind Jacoby.” He highlighted that the choice balances immediate and future goals, with Brissett offering the best shot at winning now. The head coach made sure to chat with both Brissett and Maye, ensuring that everyone’s aligned and on the same page.

Why starting Brissett over Maye makes sense

The debate over who should start as the Patriots’ quarterback has everyone talking. Some, like former Pats RB James White, are fully behind head coach Jerod Mayo’s decision to start Jacoby Brissett over rookie Drake Maye, despite the latter outperforming Brissett in the preseason. White argues that it’s ͏not always the most talented͏ pla͏yer ͏who wins in sports, saying͏,͏ ͏“When there’s ͏a competition… ͏not the best player could win the competition.” Others, however, are eager͏ to see the rookie quarterback take the reins, especially after his standout performance ͏against ͏the Commanders.

Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett bring different strengths to the table, which made the decision tough for the HC. Maye has shown incredible promise, and his rapid development is hard to ignore. However, starting him right away could have been risky, especially with the Patriots’ shaky offensive line. This has sparked concerns about whether Maye is ready to face NFL defenses head-on.

As NFL insider Rapoport noted, Mayo acknowledged Maye’s improvement but still chose Brissett. The 31-year-old player himself believes he’s the best fit for the Patriots right now, saying, “In my eyes, I am starting Week 1. I haven’t heard anything differently.” Meanwhile, Maye might be disappointed, but he understands the long-term benefits of waiting his turn. This decision will allow the youngster to continue learning without the immediate pressure to start.