The Patriots’ pocket isn’t secure enough yet for Drake Maye to replace Jacoby Brissett

The New England Patriots showed in Week 2 why they stuck with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback over first-round draft pick Drake Maye.

Not because Brissett controls the attack with his arm or even his legs.

But because it’s not yet safe for Maye to step behind the Patriots’ offensive line.

Brissett was sacked three times and hit a handful of others in Sunday’s 23-20 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks, one of which injured the interim quarterback’s shoulder and another twisted his knee.

And the Patriots have too much invested in Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, to put the former North Carolina star in jeopardy.

“You never want your quarterback to get hit,” coach Jerod Mayo said. “We’ve got to do a better job with our pass (protection) up front, and we’ve got to keep him clean. Because even if he doesn’t get hit, or any quarterback for that matter, when they’re back there and they feel like there’s people around him, it’s always going to affect you a little bit.”

Though the Patriots entered the season with low expectations — they were the league’s biggest underdogs in Week 1 — Brissett managed the offense well enough to beat the Cincinnati Bengals. Mayo crowed that his offensive line had been unfairly maligned.

But the problems the blockers showed in the preseason (Brissett injured his right shoulder in the final against Washington) came to the fore again against the Seahawks.

A key turning point came when Antonio Gibson broke loose for a 45-yard run to the Seattle 25 with about seven minutes left and New England leading 20-17. After two runs that shaved nearly two minutes off the clock, Brissett was sacked for a loss of 9 yards, moving the Patriots from the 21 to the 30.

The field goal attempt from 48 yards out was blocked, giving the Seahawks a short field for the tying field goal, sending the game into overtime.

What works?

The defense — particularly the run defense — is solid. The Seahawks managed just 46 yards on 19 carries.

What needs help?

The passing game has been slow to develop in the first two games, with Brissett throwing a combined 30 completions for 270 yards and one touchdown so far this season. He has thrown just one pass downfield, according to Sportradar — the fewest attempts of 20 or more yards in the league. Only the Commanders (0-2), Panthers (0-6) and Bears (0-10) have also failed to complete a deep pass.

Replenish stock

Tight end Hunter Henry caught eight passes for a personal best of 109 yards.

Stock down

After playing well enough in the season opener to beat the Cincinnati Bengals, Brissett completed just 15 of 27 passes for 149 yards.

Injuries

Linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley, a defensive captain, left the game in the first quarter with a shoulder injury; the NFL Network reported that he suffered a torn pectoral muscle and will miss the rest of the season. Center David Andrews missed practice Monday with a hip injury.

Key figures

19 – Brissett completed three passes for 19 yards to wide receivers in the game. It marks the eighth time since the merger that Patriots wide receivers have accumulated fewer than 20 passing yards in a game. Brissett has two, and also connected with wide receivers for just 16 yards in a 16-0 loss to Buffalo on Oct. 2, 2016, the final game of Tom Brady’s Deflategate suspension.

Next steps

The Patriots travel to the Meadowlands on Thursday night to play the Jets.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Jimmy Golen, The Associated Press