FOXBORO — The Patriots completed just three passes to wide receivers in their Week 2 loss to Seattle — and none to their best wideout.
Naturally, DeMario Douglas would like to see that change.
Douglas, New England’s leading receiver in 2023, was not targeted in Sunday’s 23-20 overtime defeat at Gillette Stadium. Just five of quarterback Jacoby Brissett’s 27 throws went to receivers, with Ja’Lynn Polk seeing three targets and K.J. Osborn two.
The second-year slot also was a relative non-factor in the Patriots’ season opener, registering just two catches on three targets for 12 yards in an upset win over Cincinnati.
Douglas declined to speak with reporters after Sunday’s game. He smiled as he addressed the media on Monday but he didn’t hide his frustration, calling his lack of action against the Seahawks “very challenging.”
Asked what he and the Patriots’ wideout need to do to up their production, Douglas replied: “Just keep doing what we’re doing.” He doesn’t believe his route-running is an issue.
“Pull up the film, you can tell,” he said. “But things happen for a reason. Whenever my time’s ready, I’m going to show them.”
Douglas was a bright spot in a highly dysfunctional Patriots offense last season, catching 49 passes for 561 yards as a sixth-round rookie. The undersized Liberty product caught four or more balls in 10 of his 14 appearances, including each of his final nine. He’s yet to reach that mark this season.
“Last year,” Douglas said when asked whether he’s been able to showcase his talents. “Not yet this year.”
Head coach Jerod Mayo said getting Douglas more involved needs to be a priority for the Patriots as they prepare to face the New York Jets on “Thursday Night Football.”
“We have to get him going,” Mayo said postgame. “We have to scheme up some things for him. He’s one of our most explosive players, and that’s on us as coaches to put it together.”
Mayo also understood Douglas’ frustration.
“Look, all of those guys in that locker room want to play football,” he said Monday. “All of those guys in the locker room want to help this team win. And if they’re not frustrated, then that’s an even bigger problem.”
One path toward improving the Patriots’ passing attack — and upping Douglas’ target share — is improvement along the offensive line. Brissett has been pressured on 44.3% of his dropbacks, per Pro Football Focus, the second-highest rate in the NFL entering Monday night.
That’s made generating explosive plays difficult. The Patriots have gained 20-plus yards on just one pass play this season, tied for last in the league. Even their much more effective run game has produced just one 20-plus-yard gain: Antonio Gibson’s 45-yard scamper in the fourth quarter against Seattle.
Mayo has had conversations with offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt about finding more ways to get the ball in the hands of New England’s playmakers.
“We know we can run the ball,” Mayo said. “In saying that, (Van Pelt) understands that we’ve got to get some of these other players — Pop (Douglas) in particular — involved in the offense, and that’s what we’ll do this Thursday.”
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