Jerod Mayo Clarifies Controversial Comment After Patriots’ Loss to Cardinals
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — It’s been a tough season for the New England Patriots, and first-year head coach Jerod Mayo is learning the hard way that every word matters when you’re in the spotlight. After the Patriots’ 30-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Mayo found himself in hot water over a comment that seemed to suggest a rift with offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. Now, the coach is walking back his words and trying to set the record straight.
The controversy started during the postgame press conference when Mayo was asked about the Patriots’ playcalling on two critical short-yardage plays. In the third quarter, New England was stopped on both third-and-1 and fourth-and-1 from the Cardinals’ 4-yard line. The team opted for traditional handoffs on both plays, which failed to convert. When asked if a quarterback sneak with Drake Maye had been considered, Mayo’s response was curt: “You said it. I didn’t.”
That brief remark raised eyebrows, as it seemed to imply dissatisfaction with Van Pelt, who is in his first year as the Patriots’ offensive play-caller. Mayo later clarified his comments during a Monday video conference, saying, “I didn’t mean anything by that. It was more of a defensive response. I tried to clarify that with the follow-up question [Sunday], because ultimately all those decisions are mine. … I didn’t want to go down that whole rabbit hole trying to explain all those things.”
In his weekly radio interview on WEEI, Mayo admitted he made a mistake. “I shouldn’t have done that. Just like I tell the players, I’m still learning how those things work,” he said. It’s a candid admission from a coach who has had his share of growing pains in his first season at the helm.
Learning Curve for a Rookie Head Coach
Mayo’s misstep on Sunday wasn’t the first time his words have caused a stir this season. Back in October, after a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, Mayo called the Patriots a “soft football team across the board.” He later walked back the comment, clarifying that the team was “playing soft.”
Even before the season began, Mayo made headlines when he said in a radio interview that the Patriots were ready to “burn some cash” to rebuild the roster. He later called it a “rookie mistake,” explaining that the team would spend wisely instead of recklessly.
These verbal missteps, combined with the Patriots’ dismal 3-11 record, have made for a rocky debut season for Mayo. The team is sputtering toward the end of the regular season, and frustrations are mounting both on and off the field.
Frustration in the Front Office
During Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals, CBS cameras captured Patriots owner Robert Kraft and team president Jonathan Kraft multiple times. At one point in the second quarter, Jonathan Kraft appeared visibly frustrated with the pace of the offense, making a motion with his hand and finger to signal for things to speed up. It was a rare glimpse into the tension behind the scenes as the Patriots struggle to find their footing in the post-Bill Belichick era.
Belichick, who was fired by Robert Kraft after 24 seasons as head coach, left big shoes to fill. Mayo, at just 38 years old, is the second-youngest head coach in the NFL, behind the Seattle Seahawks’ Mike Macdonald. Kraft had preached patience with Mayo before the season, acknowledging that the team would likely face “rough times” as they worked to rebuild the roster and lay a foundation for the future.
“This season will be great growth and lay the foundation for the future,” Kraft said at the time. However, he has not publicly commented on Mayo since the season began.
What’s Next for the Patriots?
As the Patriots limp toward the finish line of a forgettable season, Mayo’s ability to learn from his mistakes—both on the field and in front of the microphone—will be critical. The team’s struggles have been a harsh reality check for a franchise that was once synonymous with success. But with patience from ownership and a commitment to growth, Mayo and the Patriots hope to turn things around in the seasons to come.
For now, though, the focus remains on damage control and finding small victories in a season that has been anything but smooth. Whether it’s clarifying comments or improving playcalling, Mayo has his work cut out for him as he navigates the challenges of being a rookie head coach in the NFL.
- Key Takeaways:
- Mayo clarified his controversial postgame comment, calling it a “defensive response.”
- The Patriots are 3-11 in Mayo’s first season as head coach.
- Frustration is mounting among fans and even within the front office.
- Robert Kraft had predicted “rough times” but remains optimistic about the future.
Originally Written by: Mike Reiss
