Former NFL MVP makes feelings known over Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo’s viral soundbite
The New England Patriots’ 34-15 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 12 left a mark, especially given coach Jerod Mayo's post-game comments. In an appearance on "The Greg Hill" show following the loss, Mayo said that there was little he could do about his players' performance once they "cross the white lines."
“There’s nothing I can do – like, I try to give you the tools, you have to go out there with high awareness and execute what we’re trying to do," Mayo said. "I’ve always said that, and if we would’ve won the game, it looks like a compliment. We lose the game, now it looks like a slap in the face. But if you were to ask any of those players, I say that all the time."
The Patriots head coach's soundbite soon went viral with several fans panning him for refusing to take responsibility. However, Mayo had one supporter in the form of former NFL MVP Cam Newton. On his "4th and 1 Show" this week, Newton gave some insight into why Mayo's delivery was being criticized across the board.
"“I agree. If Bill Belichick said that this wouldn’t even be a topic. You have to earn that right. Jerod Mayo hasn’t. Everything that he’s saying is 100% right,” the former Carolina Panthers QB noted.
Reports indicate Jerod Mayo not yet on NFL hot seat
A total of eight head coaches were hired in the offseason, including Jerod Mayo. Those include Jim Harbaugh (Los Angeles Chargers), Dan Quinn (Washington Commanders), Mike Macdonald (Seattle Seahawks), Dave Canales (Carolina Panthers), Raheem Morris (Atlanta Falcons), Brian Callahan (Tennessee Titans) and Antonio Pierce (from interim to full-time head coach, Las Vegas Raiders.
Of those, one could argue that Mayo is closest to the hot seat, given the state of the franchise. The defense has not exactly been the unit it was last year despite having roughly the same personnel, while the offense has also sputtered in part due to playcalling and in part due to their wide receivers dropping the ball all too often.
However, so far, multiple reports have highlighted that Mayo's job could be safe for a few more years.
"Just from having talked to (the Krafts) and having talked to people around them, I just get the feeling that they know where they are and this is going to take a couple of offseasons to get through," Sports Illustrated insider Albert Breer noted in his weekly The MMQB column.
Given the fact that Robert Kraft made the decision that Mayo would replace Belichick five years ago, he will have another chance at retooling the roster this offseason.