Bill Belichick, Jerod Mayo and more Patriots drama ahead of Jets showdown Trendy Blogger

FOXBORO, Mass. – Before Jerod Mayo was even asked a question during his midweek press conference Wednesday, one that usually begins with questions about the next opponent, the New England Patriots coach addressed , unequivocally, to the elephant in the room. .

He called it “the noise.” After three days of news, stories and discussions about how he criticized his team after a sixth straight loss, Mayo opted for a rather conventional coaching speech. Channeling his predecessor, he suggested the Patriots were “on the Jets” and said the energy was good heading into the first practice of the week.

LIVE: Jerod Mayo press conference 10/23: https://t.co/S4r5ppTEix

– New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 23, 2024

But it was also an acknowledgment of all the drama that has swirled around this team over the past 10 days. In this period:

• After previously talking about a mutual agreement to part ways, Robert Kraft called his decision to get rid of Bill Belichick a dismissal.

• Mayo put everyone on notice by labeling them a “soft football team across the board” just seven games into his tenure as coach.

• The team’s second-round pick (Ja’Lynn Polk) played like a failure and posted cryptic messages on social media.

• The team’s biggest offensive free agent addition (KJ Osborn) indicated he was going to be healthy Sunday and had just three practice reps all week before being inserted into the roster. lineout and catch the final touchdown of the game.

• Belichick reignited a mini-feud with the Patriots, taking a victory lap over their struggles while taking a not-so-subtle shot at his successor.

Phew. Did we miss something?

Mayo’s first season would have some bumps along the way. It happens to any rookie coach, let alone one with the worst roster in the NFL. But it wasn’t supposed to be like this This – undisciplined play, uncompetitive football and, finally, all the drama. There would be a lot of losses, of course, but also a better atmosphere everywhere. That was the goal anyway.

Instead, Mayo must play Whac-A-Mole with each new problem that arises, including several that were self-inflicted.

Oh, and the Patriots chose during the offseason not to take time off after playing in London, a week off that would be awfully nice right now. So they’re forced to prepare — even if they’re still jet-lagged — for perhaps the only team in the league capable of matching the drama they experienced. The New York Jets arrive Sunday with their season essentially on the line.

“The message to (the players) is that it’s all about the Jets, and we’re moving forward,” Mayo said. “Obviously there’s a lot of noise, and I said, ‘We are what our record is and we need to improve.’ At the end of the day, it’s my responsibility, and look, I take full responsibility for it, and that’s fine. It goes to the Jets.

Still, it’s been dizzying following everything that’s happening around the Patriots.

Let’s start with Belichick. He and Kraft reached an agreement after last season about their separation, which would be described as mutual. They are reportedly trying to end things amicably and without bashing the media.

But that has changed. Whether by coincidence or because Kraft said last week that he would have liked to put more checks and balances on Belichick, the former coach was dynamic this week.

Belichick is one of the league’s biggest grudge holders (which, as we noted previously, is why he won’t be coaching the Jets next season), and he appears to have set his sights on his former team. He questioned Mayo’s use of the term soft and noted that last year’s Patriots team could stop the run while this one didn’t.

On the one hand, it’s understandable that Belichick is tired of Patriots decision-makers talking about changing the culture he created and seeing his former boss talk about separation of powers. All of this makes it entirely reasonable for Belichick to want to fight back, especially as he seeks a new coaching job.

On the other hand, giving flowers to last season’s 4-13 Patriots team because they stopped the run is like touting the clean floors of a sinking ship. Belichick’s team could have stopped the run, an impressive job if you ignore the other massive holes Belichick couldn’t fix, leaving the Pats with the worst roster in the NFL, the main reason he’s no longer working for the team.

Now, if the Patriots don’t change the situation, Mayo will have to worry about more than his own self-inflicted drama and that which comes from a losing locker room like this. Today, the greatest coach of all time, Mayo’s former boss and mentor, seems only too happy to lob grenades after every misstep.

“Listen, like I said, my main focus is the guys inside this building – not only the players but also the coaches and the rest of the staff,” Mayo said when asked when asked about Belichick’s comments. “Look, as soon as we get this straightened out, everything will be fine. It comes down to wins and losses. This is… what you are ultimately judged on.

Meanwhile, the rest of the drama isn’t over. Mayo’s “soft” comments will continue as a storyline until the team proves him wrong. Polk’s game will be questioned until he turns things around. (The worrying thing is that the entire rookie draft class outside of Drake Maye has been bad.)

The trade deadline is approaching and they have decided to be sellers, already talking with teams about potential trades involving Kendrick Bourne, Joshua Uche and Tyquan Thornton. Maybe Osborn is the next one they’ll try to move after his comments.

All of this means the drama continues to swirl with New England a touchdown underdog at home against a 2-5 rival. A loss on Sunday would be seven in a row. Who knows what that would bring? Demanding players? Is Belichick ready for another tough victory lap?

It’s only Week 8 of a season that wasn’t going to lead to a playoff berth, and the Patriots already need a win in the worst way.

(Photo by Jerod Mayo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)