Jacoby Brissett Might Not Lose Job, But Becoming Difficult To Rationalize

New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett did not do anything to lose himself the starting job during the first three games. But New England's 30-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday was a different story.

Brissett might not lose his job in the short-term -- "At this point, Jacoby is our starting quarterback," Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters -- but it's getting more difficult to rationalize why he deserves to keep it.

It's not only that Brissett's pick-six to 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner was a back-breaking play early in the game. Brissett's telegraphed throw after his slow decision is exactly what a lower-ceiling veteran cannot do. It's not only that he fumbled the ball three times.

There's more to it than that.

While the box score doesn't always tell the full story, you can get a glimpse in this case: New England compiled 216 yards of offense (3.5 yards per play), including 143 yards passing. The Patriots have not eclipsed 150 yards passing in any of their four games.

Brissett leads a punchless offense. There's no threat of anything. There's no spark either.

Brissett was under siege during the first three games. The Patriots allowed the highest pressure rate in the league and were among the worst teams in pass-blocking metrics. Against the Niners, San Fran recorded six sacks and 10 quarterback hits on Brissett. However, the majority of those felt more self-inflicted than in previous games. Brissett held onto the ball for what felt like longer and failed to find receivers, including on said pick-six.

"It's easy on some of those sacks, when you go back and watch the film, the ball should be out," Mayo told reporters, more of less confirming Brissett's role in those negative plays. "It'd be easy for you guys and everyone else to say, well, the offensive line should have done that. So, I wouldn't rush to that conclusion."

The calls for rookie Drake Maye undoubtedly will gain steam ahead of Week 5. Maye offers a much higher ceiling than Brissett and recent sentiments from Mayo and Patriots players portray confidence in the rookie's behind-the-scenes development.

The biggest reason to keep Maye from playing is because of the situation around him, of course. That's well-documented. It's not any better after Sunday either after center David Andrews (shoulder) and offensive tackle Caedan Wallace (ankle) each exited the game due to injury.

That's the argument for not playing Maye, and it's valid. At the same time, the argument for keeping Brissett as the starter is losing its validity.