There’s no doubt which team won Tuesday’s training camp scrimmage between the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles.
The only saving grace from the Patriots’ offense’s defeat was that it was a stroke of luck that it happened on a practice field and not an actual football game. Only the Patriots’ quarterback’s red jersey protected them from a Rocky Balboa defeat.
NBC Sports’ Phil Perry tallied 15 combined sacks by Eagles guards Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye. The day’s top offensive players were left tackle Bederian Rowe, left guard Sidi Sow, center David Andrews, right guard Mike Onwenu and right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor.
Both tackle positions are serious concerns for the Patriots, with Rowe a reserve at best and Okorafor struggling with the Pittsburgh Steelers before eventually losing his starting spot and being cut by the team.
The Patriots are hoping third-round draft pick Kaidan Wallace can contribute significant minutes at the position, but he’s been up and down throughout training camp.
It’s also a bit of a stretch to pin the team’s hopes on a rookie offensive lineman.
The Eagles may have the best defensive line in football this year, so it’s not like the Patriots were beaten by poor defense — they faced an elite unit and got wiped out in no time.
Here’s what the Patriots had to say on Twitter about their offensive line getting beaten by the Eagles in a scrimmage on Tuesday:
It’s hard to count how many times the Eagles were sacked. It’s been a tough workout for the Patriots’ offensive line.
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) August 13, 2024
of #Patriot The Eagles offensive line was destroyed today. Over 10 sacks. The defense was lacking and the QB was barely able to execute the offense or read the play.
If today is any indication, that will be their Achilles heel again in 2024.
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) August 13, 2024
With the way the front office has mismanaged the offensive line since 2019, it will likely take years for New England to get to where they want to be.
The team’s guard line is in place, but they still need two quality tackles and a long-term plan at center. https://t.co/InjhJPrRXb
— Matt St. Jean (@mattstdream) August 13, 2024
I’m surprised the Patriots’ offensive line is still so bad.
— Matthew (@Colonel_Bonez) August 13, 2024
The New England Patriots are basically using the same philosophy in hiring coaches that they use in drafting and hiring their offensive linemen. This is a huge problem. No one wants the coach we hired and no one wants our new offensive linemen. It’s pathetic if you ask me. #Forever
— Dakota from Braintree (@DakotaSpin) August 13, 2024
RT and LT are big responsibilities for the Patriots.
Is there anyone on the street who can help?
Is there anyone I can exchange with?
Lowe’s is a no-no and I don’t like RT Chuks either.
— Michael Magaretta (@mikemagz07) August 13, 2024
May Meyer and all the QBs in that system this year rest in peace.
— Marcotte (@cj_marcotte23) August 13, 2024
Maybe you shouldn’t wait until the third round to draft an OL, Elliott. Wow.
— Troy Means (@troymeans) August 13, 2024
They trade down for two No. 1 picks and two O-linemen in next year’s draft, and don’t start Maye this year, and going 3-14 is starting to seem unreasonable.
— JimfromLakeWinni (@jkre1244) August 13, 2024
I think it would be foolish to not try to add a free agent or veteran as a backup. This is a no-brainer for me.
— Ⓜ️AjinⓂ️Ani🔮 (@PIJ_Mangoe) August 13, 2024
This confirms what we all already expected about the 2024 team: Year one of a rebuild usually gets worse before it gets better.
— Seth Maine 🧢 (@YANGS1K) August 13, 2024
Going into the offseason, it was obvious to everyone. I still wonder why they didn’t act. The offensive line should have been a top priority in free agency this offseason, especially as they prepared to draft their QB of the future (i.e. Tyron Smith). A strikeout. A huge miss.
Persistent problem.
— Jim Hackett (@JHHacksaw) August 13, 2024
LOL. 10 sacks is amazing.
— Maverick💪💪 (@Shin_Doom) August 13, 2024
The Eagles also have the best defensive line in the league.
— 🍀☘️NE Patriots Ryan 🇺🇸🇮🇪 (@PatriotRyan1) August 13, 2024
This is why Aiyuk was a pipe dream: without an offensive line, a WR1 is useless.
— 𝙲𝚑𝚛𝚒𝚜 𝚁𝚞𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚕 (@cr00ster) August 13, 2024
“Start May,” they said.
— Trav does Pats (@travNEP) August 13, 2024
It’s amazing how seriously the Patriots are taking this offensive line.
— Nathan Evans ☘️ (@stoolienate) August 13, 2024