Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas had high expectations for himself entering the 2024 season, but after two weeks, he has just two catches for 12 yards to show.
The second-year wide receiver’s frustrations mounted following New England’s overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, during which he didn’t receive a single target.
“Pull up the film, and you can tell,” Douglas said regarding getting open.
Douglas’ frustrations are understandable after he led the Patriots in receiving last season. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett agrees.
“I’m glad he’s frustrated. If he wasn’t, that would be more alarming than him not getting the ball to be honest to you,” Brissett said via Boston.com. “You just explain it to him, you’re going to have those games where it happens like that.”
New England’s struggles on offense aren’t a surprise after the team brought in a new coaching regime and revamped its quarterback room this offseason.
Many had likely predicted that the Patriots would start 0-2, but they find themselves one overtime win away from being 2-0.
That has given Brissett confidence with a long season still ahead.
“It’s the second game of the year. We’re still trying to figure out our identity and how this thing is going to play out as far as the offense. It’s a long season ahead. I told him, man, there’s 15 games left,” Brissett added. “Obviously, we’re still getting better as a whole, individually, as an offense. I’m glad he’s frustrated, but I’ll see how he uses the frustration the right way.”
Douglas isn’t the only player that’s had a slow start to the season, thanks to New England averaging the fourth-fewest passing yards per game (122.5) in the league. K.J. Osborn currently leads the wide receiver room with just four catches for 28 yards.
Brissett acknowledged he must do a better job at getting Douglas and others the ball more.
“Obviously, he’s a dynamic player. And me as the quarterback, I have to find ways to get him the ball. But it’s definitely something that we’re looking at,” Brissett continued. “Honestly, we gotta find ways to get a lot of our skill players the ball, and get them more involved in the game. So yeah, I gotta take responsibility for that.”
Brissett will have a chance to do just that when the Patriots head to New York to take on the Jets (1-1) in Week 3.
