The ongoing discussions between Eliot Wolf, Robert Kraft, and Jerod Mayo will ultimately determine if the current iteration of the New England Patriots will sink or swim. The departure of Bill Belichick leaves a lot of questions. This is not just for the upcoming season but for the future of the franchise. Naturally, the most immediate and pressing question concerns what the starting quarterback position will look like. Questions surround who exactly has what role in the building. Regardless, it’s safe to assume that the vice president of player personnel still maintains some decision-influencing power.
As reported by Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald, the fifth-year front office professional shared some insight: “The worst thing… is you put a guy in before he’s ready, and then you have to take him out.” This statement is far from indicating the final say in anything regarding the upcoming season. However, it does illustrate a possible line of thinking in terms of the overall vision for Drake Maye. Typically someone drafted as the number three overall pick suits up immediately. Any first-rounder typically sees significant playing time as a rookie. Injury derails this general plan. But other than health, year one is a trial by fire.
Some sat in their inaugural NFL year, notably some of the older quarterbacks in this league. Yet that approach is mostly gone by the wayside at this point. This made the possibility at first seem foolish regarding the possibility of Jacoby Brissett playing and starting over him. Regardless, coach Jerod Mayo announced that the NC State product had earned the starting role. But as the quote indicates, the decision is ultimately about more than who beat out who in camp. Instead, there seems to be a deliberate effort to ensure that the mistakes that often plague an NFL team that selects a quarterback with a high pick aren’t repeated in Foxboro. The recent failed experiment of Mac Jones may play a role in how the franchise is handling the career of Maye.
Eliot Wolf Looking to Avoid Recent Poor Outcome
In the case of the former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback, he got off to a good enough start to earn an invitation to the Pro Bowl. However, what happened afterward could be what Eliot Wolf and others are looking to avoid now. The departure of Josh McDaniels led to the young talent playing in a bad situation. The displayed strengths vanished from what was a promising rookie year. Comparing then to this year, New England may want to avoid a possible catastrophe altogether for their most recent top pick. There’s a lot that indicates a rough offensive season ahead.
There is a new offensive coordinator, unknown receiving options, and an offensive line in development. So instead of taking the VP’s words at face value, fans may need to read between the lines. When he shares that the rookie may not be ready, he could easily be referring to something more nuanced. It takes a certain quarterback, typically a veteran, to be able to navigate less-than-ideal circumstances. Considering the timeline and the initial plan, it’s safe to say that having the first run of NFL playing time in this scheme does not set anyone up for success.
Furthermore, when the player in question is supposed to be the future of the franchise, it’s wise to exercise a degree of caution. Brissett is a capable winner in this league. Moreover, he has shown the ability to be able to execute and stay composed in the face of team struggles. It’s not expected for any signal caller to produce double-digit wins. For example, a playoff berth would far exceed expectations. But given where this team is at right now, Eliot Wolf is sharing part of the reason as to why they’re holding off on giving what a lot of fans are understandably calling for.
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