Ja’Lynn Polk looked the part.
In training camp, the rookie wide receiver was consistent. Every practice, it was reliable. As the summer progressed, Polk became one of the Patriots’ top red-zone threats. He almost always made a solid catch and rarely made a drop.
Things were on track for Polk, until they weren’t.
After starting five of the Patriots’ first six games, the rookie wide receiver’s playing time and production declined throughout this 2024 season. It’s only gotten worse. Over the past two weeks, Polk has played a minimum of 15 snaps on offense.
what happened
Speaking to MassLive after the Patriots’ loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Polk took responsibility for his rookie season. With 12 catches for 87 yards to his name, the rookie admits he wished things were different and explained why he’s hopeful for his future.
“I’m going to sit here wrong not to say there are things I need to be better at. Of course there are things I need to be better at. I know that. That’s one thing,” Polk said. “Just being better, being more focused on the details. And then focusing on the things I can control and not worrying about the things I can’t. A lot of things are out of my control. I’m not the one making the decisions for go get more reps keep shooting it keep having fun every game i have just have fun with it whatever, just trust him journey”.
In training camp, Polk led all Patriots pass catchers with 39 receptions. He split time between the first- and second-team offense with Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye. Polk’s performance looked better than the Patriots’ previous Draft against N’Keal Harry (who couldn’t get separation) and Tyquan Thornton (who didn’t look as good in pads). His performance rivaled that of DeMario Douglas the previous summer.
In 2023, Douglas, a sixth-round pick, finished with 42 receptions in training camp and looked like a draft steal. He went on to have the most productive season for a rookie wide receiver in the Bill Belichick era with 49 receptions and 561 yards.
For Polk, that drive was there. Through the first four weeks, he appeared to be building toward something positive with eight catches for 61 yards. The problems came against Miami when he caught one pass, on six targets, for 13 yards. The following week, against Houston, he caught one pass, on four targets, for 4 yards. Then, against Jacksonville, he didn’t catch a pass on three targets.
After missing Week 8 with a concussion, Polk returned in Week 9, but his playing time was never the same. Through the first seven games, Polk played between 50 and 100 percent of the offensive snaps. Since Week 9, he has never played more than 41%. Over the last two weeks, he has been lined up for 4% and 23% of the snaps.
“I wish I could give you an explanation,” Polk said when asked about his playing time. “I don’t worry about the things I can’t control. I just keep coming to work every day and do what my coaches ask me to do. Just keep having a good mindset to support those around me — my brothers in the room reception, supporting the guys on the team and getting ready every day.”
In the last eight games, Polk has two catches for 9 yards. He has been detained without arrest for the past four weeks. That included last week against the Chargers.
For a player who was very productive in college and had a strong training camp, that’s not how Polk envisioned his rookie season unfolding. Mentally, he said he’s been reminding himself that he’s lucky to be in the NFL and living his dream. He understands that he has the opportunity to do something that many will never experience.
“It’s frustrating in a way. That goes to the patience part and trusting your process and journey,” Polk said. “It doesn’t always work out the way you want it to. Life doesn’t work that way. I understand that it will get better. I don’t wonder why things are the way they are now because I know things will get better. I can’t spend time on it. All I can do it’s having a good mindset, keep coming here and working, getting better, finish this season strong and go attack the offseason.”
For now, Polk is preaching patience. He’s focused on this final week of his rookie season and looks forward to a chance to show everyone what he’s capable of on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
“That’s out of my control. I’d love to go out there and make some plays. You just have to go out there and dominate,” Polk said. But, (I) keep coming to practice. Keep putting it on film. As long as my name is called for my coaches to let me go out there and do it, until then, just keep working, supporting my teammates and keep getting better.”
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