NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS first-year coach Jerod Mayo walked by the interview room door at Wembley Stadium as if he had simply damaged the huddle from his profession as a playcalling linebacker. He seemed exasperated as he took the rostrum and spoke from the guts.
“Look, what I’d say is we’re a gentle soccer staff throughout the board.”
Mayo’s staff began its Week 7 journey to London in spectacular vogue, opening a 10-0 first-quarter lead over the Jacksonville Jaguars. But then, the Patriots gave up the sport’s subsequent 25 factors and misplaced their sixth straight recreation.
Mayo did not pound the dais in entrance of him. In truth, he hardly raised his voice. He matter-of-factly ripped his staff.
Can’t run the ball. Can’t cease the run. Can’t cowl kicks.
Some throughout the group of 20 or so reporters within the postgame interview room turned to 1 one other as Mayo’s session ended. There was shock at how direct and biting his critique was, one thing Patriots media had not seen a lot of within the prior 24 seasons.
For the primary time in 25 years, the Patriots started a season with out Bill Belichick as their head coach. Mayo was handpicked by proprietor Robert Kraft, who was drawn to the coach’s knack for connecting with a youthful technology of gamers. The new period of Patriots soccer introduced optimism within the offseason — buoyed by the drafting of first-round quarterback Drake Maye — that rolled into the NFL’s most surprising Week 1 victory since 2018 when New England upset the Cincinnati Bengals.
But turbulence adopted with questionable teaching calls, erratic messaging in information conferences and poor performances. That has led to fans chanting “Fire Mayo” and an uncertainty on the head teaching place.
After Mayo clarified his London remarks the following day to specify the Patriots had been “enjoying gentle” — which wasn’t the one time he has needed to stroll again feedback over the course of his first 12 months — the staff responded by beating Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets the following week.
Players shared that Mayo delivered an identical message of softness within the Wembley guests locker room earlier than chatting with reporters. They mentioned as a result of they heard it from him first, it carried extra weight than what he mentioned within the postgame interview.
But successful constantly has confirmed elusive, sparking questions on Mayo and his workers, at the same time as staff sources acknowledge they often did not match the opposition in expertise — a outcome, partially, of inheriting a depleted roster.
It highlights a roller-coaster season for Mayo, who at 38 is the NFL’s second-youngest head coach behind Seattle’s Mike Macdonald.
“I knew this was going to be a difficult season,” Mayo mentioned. “Obviously the expectations listed here are all the time excessive. Unfortunately, we simply have not been capable of meet these expectations. In saying that, I feel the largest drawback with us as a staff — and it begins with me — is simply being constant.”
AFTER THE PATRIOTS began the season with an surprising highway win in opposition to Cincinnati and a home-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks in additional time, the offense fell aside and Mayo was compelled to make a change.
The turning level got here in Week 5, when rookie broad receiver Ja’Lynn Polk leaped into the air to corral a landing go from Jacoby Brissett. As Polk fell into the again of the top zone, a close-by official signaled a landing, and Gillette Stadium erupted. The Patriots took a 16-15 lead over the Miami Dolphins with a little bit over a minute to play.
But officers reviewed Polk’s landing catch and noticed that whereas his proper toe was ultimately zone, his heel landed outdoors the sector of play. No landing. And, in the end, no victory over the Dolphins.
“One extra inch and it is completely different,” Brissett mentioned reflecting on that second. “I do not assume phrases can describe how powerful it’s.”
A fourth straight defeat, an offense averaging 12.4 factors and Brissett having absorbed 49 quarterback hits accelerated Mayo’s plans to show to the staff’s rookie QB.
“I feel Drake now provides us the perfect likelihood to win,” Mayo mentioned on the time.
Mayo has referred to offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt as “the pinnacle coach of the offense” however insisted he made the choice on when to make a QB change. Mayo had initially focused late October as the best timeline for Maye to start out, based on sources aware of his considering, despite the fact that he was tempted to speed up issues after Maye outperformed Brissett late within the preseason.
The concept was to provide issues time to evolve — notably alongside the offensive line — hoping that Brissett would assist hold them aggressive earlier than passing the torch.
Instead, Mayo turned to Maye, the No. 3 decide within the 2024 draft, in Week 6 in opposition to the Houston Texans.
“When is it ever an ideal situation?” a high-ranking staff government requested at a observe main as much as that recreation.
That similar day, an assistant coach exclaimed: “We’re going to see what the child’s bought!”
Since Maye’s debut, the Patriots have not seemed again at quarterback.
Maye, 6-foot-4 and 225 kilos, has accomplished 66.7% of his passes (14th in NFL), with 15 landing passes (twenty second) and 10 interceptions (tied for 18th), whereas including 421 dashing yards (ranked eighth amongst QBs) and two dashing touchdowns in 12 video games.
Maye’s 95 dashing yards in opposition to the Tennessee Titans in Week 9 had been the third most by a quarterback in franchise historical past.
He enters the season finale in opposition to the Bills having thrown at the least one landing go in eight straight video games, which is a Patriots rookie document. Maye’s three landing passes of 35 or extra air yards are essentially the most for a New England quarterback in a season since Tom Brady had three in 2009.
In the midst of a difficult season, Kraft pointed to Maye as a silver lining in London and mentioned: “I promise you we’re constructing one thing particular. How about that Drake Maye?”
MAYO’S INEXPERIENCE — 5 seasons as a Patriots defensive assistant earlier than turning into a head coach — has proven this season. He has delivered conflicting messages to the media, and there have been occasions a extra aggressive on-field method may need benefitted the staff — corresponding to after one in all Maye’s greatest moments.
The Patriots trailed the Titans 17-10 in Week 9. Maye stood in anticipation of a snap from middle Ben Brown. There had been 4 seconds left within the fourth quarter, and it was third-and-goal. Time for only one play.
After catching the snap, Maye dropped again to his 15-yard line. He patted the ball, surveying his choices because the Titans rushed three, thus dropping eight into protection.
“Nobody’s open!” Fox play-by-play announcer Jason Benetti mentioned.
By this level, 11.82 seconds had handed, based on NFL Next Gen Stats. So with two Titans defenders charging towards him and one ripping him to the bottom, Maye heaved the ball to the other aspect of the top zone — remarkably into the arms of working again Rhamondre Stevenson.
“Oh my goodness! Maye with an absolute jewel of an effort!” Benetti exclaimed.
As Maye was helped off the bottom by two offensive linemen, he raised each arms within the air.
The Patriots had sliced the Titans’ result in 17-16 and had all of the momentum. They might journey Maye’s scorching hand and try a two-point conversion for the win or go for the additional level and the tie.
DRAKE MAYE! RHAMONDRE STEVENSON! @PATRIOTS TIE IT UP! pic.twitter.com/ThCEJxhA0b
— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024
Maye unbuckled his chinstrap and jogged again to the sideline as Mayo elected for the PAT and additional time. The Patriots misplaced the coin toss, kicked off and surrendered an extended drive that resulted in a subject aim. Then, Maye was intercepted to finish the sport.
“I’m all the time going to do what I feel is greatest for the staff,” Mayo mentioned. “I feel we are able to speak about analytics and all these issues, which we do use these issues. At the identical time, there’s additionally a stream to the sport. As a head coach, in the end, the choice and the consequence is on me.”
The conservative choice to play for additional time as an alternative of the win was one in all a number of in-game choices Mayo has made that was debatable. Electing for a 68-yard game-ending subject aim as an alternative of a Hail Mary on the finish of a 25-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in early December was additionally notable, partially as a result of a 68-yarder has by no means been made earlier than.
“He’s getting worthwhile expertise in situational soccer,” former Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich mentioned. “I do not care who you’re, or how lengthy you’ve got executed it, till you’re put in conditions the place they only pop up and it’s a must to react to them, you are going to need to undergo the hearth. … If he had been to undergo each state of affairs, perhaps he alters his thoughts on a few of these choices the following time round.”
Mayo — who has been extra talkative with the media than his predecessor, Belichick — has additionally walked again a number of feedback over the previous 12 months.
In January 2024, shortly after being employed, Mayo mentioned in a radio interview that the Patriots had been able to “burn some money” in free company, a comment he later mentioned was a “rookie mistake” whereas clarifying the staff would spend correctly.
After a irritating loss to the Arizona Cardinals final month, when the Patriots handed the ball off to working again Antonio Gibson on unsuccessful third-and-1 and fourth-and-1 performs, Mayo was requested whether or not utilizing Maye as a rusher was ever a consideration.
“You mentioned it. I did not,” he responded.
To some, it was interpreted as if Mayo was throwing shade at Van Pelt. Mayo clarified the following day, saying he wasn’t referencing Van Pelt and that it was a defensive response to a subject he did not wish to deal with.
This previous Sunday, Mayo mentioned in a pregame radio interview that Gibson would begin at working again rather than Stevenson after Stevenson fumbled a league-high seventh time the week prior — solely to have Stevenson begin the sport. Pressed on what occurred, Mayo referred to as it a “coach’s choice.”
This offseason, Mayo mentioned he plans to do “deep dives” on all facets of his first 12 months — together with recreation administration, the whole lot referring to “construction and tradition” and what occurred in information conferences.
“Do I feel I’ve executed issues proper? Absolutely. Are there methods to enhance? 1,000% Do I want I’d have executed sure issues otherwise? Yeah,” he mentioned.
“I’m going to go someplace the place nobody can discover me — simply on my own, no children, no nothing — and simply replicate on the season. I feel it is necessary not just for soccer gamers, however anybody to take these occasions and see what you are able to do higher.”
THERE HAVE BEEN fleeting glimpses of what a successful staff and tradition would possibly appear to be below Mayo’s management.
Not lengthy after the Patriots’ most convincing results of the season — a 19-3 win over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Week 10 — Mayo set free a loud yell inside the team’s locker room. “Yeahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!”
Mayo then handed out the sport balls.
He began with kicker Joey Slye, who was 4-for-4 on subject targets. As Mayo delivered the soccer, he added that Slye’s spouse, Brittaney, had simply given delivery to a child woman, Palmer.
The room roared, and shortly after, Mayo referred to as up linebacker Jahlani Tavai.
Mayo informed gamers that Tavai’s fiancée, Kalei, had additionally simply given delivery to a child woman, Honua, and defined the which means of the title — “earth in Hawaiian.” Mayo briefly seemed down at a chunk of paper in his left hand to verify the title, saying he did not wish to mispronounce it, and gamers then repeated it in joyous celebration.
When Mayo was named Patriots coach, he mentioned the significance of displaying gamers he cared for them earlier than demanding from them — and maybe at no different time throughout the season had that method come to the forefront than that day within the guests locker room at Soldier Field.
The Patriots have not received since, however gamers have stood by Mayo by the rocky occasions, saying they imagine in him and his management type.
“It’s the brand new type coming in, what gamers want,” receiver DeMario Douglas mentioned. “We want that vitality, that younger vitality that has us feeling like we would run by a brick wall for him. Despite the document, he had us able to go and play the following recreation.”
Mayo put gamers by a difficult coaching camp, with some veterans noting it was more durable than what that they had skilled within the remaining years below Belichick. Nonetheless, they had been projected to win 4 video games and entered Week 1 at Cincinnati because the NFL’s largest underdog that week.
In the locker room after the primary recreation, based on a video posted on the Patriots’ official web site, Kraft informed gamers: “No one outdoors this room believed this might occur. I’m spoiled now. I’m going to depend on much more.”
Looking again, one high-ranking staff official mentioned the surprising opening win shifted expectations when the roster was missing sufficient expertise to compete, placing extra stress on Mayo. Nonetheless, gamers have famous how Mayo stayed the course all through within the locker room.
“I do not assume he reveals his playing cards, and I like that,” receiver Kendrick Bourne mentioned. “He would not appear phased and he is letting it take its time, as a result of he is aware of he cannot rush it and it is a course of. He has to let younger guys mature, handle veterans, know who’s going to be right here [next year]. He’s studying as a first-year coach — not overthinking.”
Gibson, who mentioned he felt a powerful connection to Mayo from the day he signed as a free agent in March due to the best way he welcomed his daughter Taylor in his workplace, took word of how Mayo managed gamers’ workloads.
The mixture of a rigorous coaching camp and having the NFL’s newest bye week (Week 14) required changes.
“He’s been in our footwear earlier than, so you possibly can form of see how our schedule went. Especially with our document, the place a coach may not let up on you, I do not assume he did that,” Gibson mentioned. “He understood the place we had been at, how our our bodies had been feeling at sure factors of the season, and he positively seemed out for us from that standpoint.”
OPTIMISM WAS STILL prevalent on Aug. 18 when Patriots vice chairman of participant personnel Eliot Wolf addressed reporters for the primary (and solely) time for the reason that staff started coaching camp.
Wolf appeared shocked by the horde of media surrounding him on the sting of the staff’s observe fields. He mentioned one thing that in the end did not present itself, which performed a big function in a difficult season.
“We’re enthusiastic about our offensive line group,” Wolf mentioned. “We’re nonetheless working to seek out that appropriate mixture in there. I feel now we have the items in place to compete.”
It was a pricey miscalculation.
Due a mixture of personnel missteps, accidents and poor efficiency, the Patriots began a unique O-line mixture in every of the primary seven weeks of the season. They’ve had 10 completely different beginning mixtures getting into their season finale.
“We’ve had clearly a hodgepodge of men in there all through the season,” first-year offensive line coach Scott Peters mentioned.
For the second straight 12 months, the Patriots rank final within the NFL in go block win price (50.8%), based on ESPN Analytics. They additionally rank final in run block win price (67.6%).
Wolf made it a precedence when he took over to “weaponize” the offense and supply infrastructure to assist the event of a rookie quarterback, however he by no means delivered. That included taking unsuccessful large swings at free agent receiver Calvin Ridley (who signed in Tennessee) and buying and selling for receiver Brandon Aiyuk (who stayed in San Francisco).
He chosen two receivers within the draft, within the second (Polk) and fourth (Javon Baker) rounds, however neither has emerged.
Wolf double-dipped alongside the offensive line within the third (Caedan Wallace) and fourth (Layden Robinson) rounds, however there stays uncertainty about whether or not they’ll develop into starters. Fixing the offensive line can be a prime precedence once more within the offseason.
“Talent-wise they should redo the O-line and discover 5 they’ll carry on the sector,” former Patriot and present NBC analyst Devin McCourty mentioned. “Young O-linemen getting reps this 12 months ought to assist them going ahead.”
Another miscalculation has been the expectations for development on protection, given Mayo’s background as a defensive participant and assistant.
While the Patriots have been hit with key accidents to linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (season-ending torn pectoral muscle in Week 2) and defensive sort out Christian Barmore (restricted to 4 video games after being identified with blood clots in July), the protection — led by first-year coordinator DeMarcus Covington — has regressed.
The unit ranks final within the NFL in quarterback contacts, based on ESPN Research, and slipped from seventh (36.3%) final season to twenty sixth (43.5%) on third-down conversions. The Patriots’ 12 takeaways are tied for thirtieth within the NFL.
Entering final season’s finale, the Patriots had given up 349 factors and 37 touchdowns. Entering this season’s remaining recreation, they’ve allowed 401 factors and 45 touchdowns.
The crimson zone protection at the moment ranks twenty fourth in landing share (61.8%) after ending fifth final season (46.1%).
“We have some new coaches — studying the best way to do issues their method,” veteran defensive sort out Davon Godchaux mentioned. “It’s nonetheless, mainly on protection, the identical stuff we did up to now, perhaps add one or two new wrinkles. We simply need to discover ways to end video games.”
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Jerrod Mayo: If Drake Maye is wholesome, he is beginning vs. Bills
Patriots head coach Jerrod Mayo relays that quarterback Drake Maye will play vs. the Bills so long as he is wholesome.
IF THE PATRIOTS lose to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Gillette Stadium (1 p.m. ET, CBS), they may decide No. 1 within the 2025 NFL draft for the primary time since 1993. With an abundance of wage cap area and desires that additionally embrace receiver, defensive sort out and go rusher, they’re anticipated to be aggressive in free company.
“There is certainly a necessity for extra expertise,” Ninkovich mentioned. “The offensive line struggled, and the depth is not best. … Defensively, they underperformed from the place many thought they’d be from final 12 months to this 12 months, they usually might use a pass-rusher who will get to the quarterback. While they want extra expertise, I additionally assume one other 12 months of studying will assist the entire staff, which incorporates Mayo.”
Mayo has pointed to early rising pains skilled by different coaches, such because the Detroit Lions‘ Dan Campbell, who started his first 12 months 0-10-1 in 2021 and was 1-6 to start out his second season.
“It takes time. Look at these guys now, each from a roster and training perspective,” Mayo mentioned of the Lions, who play for the NFC’s No. 1 seed this week. “From his first 12 months to his second 12 months to his third 12 months — there was change and he bought it nailed down.”
Likewise, the Bengals’ Zac Taylor was 6-25-1 in his first two seasons (2019, 2020). One staff supply pointed to the endurance Bengals possession confirmed with Taylor for what might occur in New England, linking the promise that quarterback Joe Burrow delivered to Cincinnati in 2020 to what Maye would possibly do with extra assist and expertise round him.
“It hasn’t gone the best way that any of us have needed it to go,” Mayo mentioned. “Steve Jobs had a quote the place you’ve gotten ‘successful years’ after which you’ve gotten ‘character-building years.’ This has been a kind of character-building years that I’ll all the time keep in mind.”
