originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The New England Patriots' awful offensive line play has put them in a bit of a pickle.
Starter Jacoby Brissett has taken nine sacks and 25 quarterback hits through three games, while prized rookie Drake Maye was sacked twice and hit five times on a single drive in garbage time of the Patriots' Week 3 loss to the New York Jets. New England quarterbacks have been pressured on 44.8 percent of their dropbacks this season, the second-highest rate in the NFL.
That's not exactly an ideal situation for a rookie QB like Maye, whom the Patriots plan to start at some point this season but could be in danger of going the route of Mac Jones or Bryce Young if he doesn't have enough protection.