Patriots on the Brink of Collapse?

The New England Patriots are one of the most storied franchises in NFL history. From the dynasty days of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick to the leadership of owner Robert Kraft, the organization has long been synonymous with excellence. But that excellence has been absent since Brady’s departure after the 2019 season. Now, the Patriots find themselves in a precarious position, sitting at 1-3, with their only victory coming in Week One against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The team's struggles, particularly on offense, have been glaring. Starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett has yet to ignite any real spark under center, and the offense has been stagnant. This lack of production has led to visible frustration among the younger players, including receiver Demario "Pop" Douglas, who has shown his displeasure on the field after another stalled passing attack.

It’s not just the players on the field who are frustrated. Reports from inside the locker room suggest that the Patriots are nearing a breaking point. According to reporter Evan Lazar, the team is "teetering on mutiny" due to the coaching staff's reluctance to make a change at the quarterback position. This tension stems from the fact that New England selected quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick in this year's draft. Maye, a highly-touted prospect, is considered the future of the franchise, and fans and players alike are eager to see him in action.

The burning question is: why isn't Maye starting? Despite his potential, the coaching staff seems intent on "protecting" Maye, waiting for the right moment to throw him into the fire. But that decision is raising eyebrows among the team. Players who are expected to put it all on the line every week are starting to wonder why their promising young quarterback isn’t out there, giving the team its best chance to win.

If New England continues to delay Maye's debut, the tension in the locker room is only going to escalate. This Sunday’s game against the struggling, Tua-less Dolphins should be a winnable one for the Patriots. However, if the team falters again and the coaching staff sticks with Brissett, expect frustration to boil over, leading to even more uncertainty for the franchise.