FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots first-year coach Jerod Mayo walked by means of the interview room door at Wembley Stadium as if he had simply damaged the huddle from his profession as a playcalling linebacker. He appeared exasperated as he took the rostrum and spoke from the guts.
“Look, what I might say is we’re a tender soccer group throughout the board.”
Mayo’s group began its Week 7 journey to London in spectacular vogue, opening a 10-0 first-quarter lead over the Jacksonville Jaguars. However then, the Patriots gave up the sport’s subsequent 25 factors and misplaced their sixth straight sport.
Mayo did not pound the dais in entrance of him. Actually, he hardly raised his voice. He matter-of-factly ripped his group.
Cannot run the ball. Cannot cease the run. Cannot cowl kicks.
Some throughout the group of 20 or so reporters within the postgame interview room turned to at least one 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 Invoice 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 brand 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 stunning Week 1 victory since 2018 when New England upset the Cincinnati Bengals.
However turbulence adopted with questionable teaching calls, erratic messaging in information conferences and poor performances. That has led to followers chanting “Hearth Mayo” and an uncertainty on the head teaching place.
After Mayo clarified his London remarks the subsequent day to specify the Patriots have been “enjoying tender” — which wasn’t the one time he has needed to stroll again feedback over the course of his first 12 months — the group responded by beating Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets the subsequent week.
Gamers shared that Mayo delivered the same 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.
However successful constantly has confirmed elusive, sparking questions on Mayo and his employees, whilst group sources acknowledge they normally did not match the opposition in expertise — a outcome, partly, 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. “Clearly the expectations listed here are at all times excessive. Sadly, we simply have not been in a position to meet these expectations. In saying that, I believe the largest drawback with us as a group — and it begins with me — is simply being constant.”
AFTER THE PATRIOTS began the season with an sudden street win in opposition to Cincinnati and a home-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks in time beyond regulation, the offense fell aside and Mayo was pressured to make a change.
The turning level got here in Week 5, when rookie huge receiver Ja’Lynn Polk leaped into the air to corral a landing cross from Jacoby Brissett. As Polk fell into the again of the tip 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 bit of over a minute to play.
However officers reviewed Polk’s landing catch and noticed that whereas his proper toe was ultimately zone, his heel landed exterior the sector of play. No landing. And, in the end, no victory over the Dolphins.
“Yet another inch and it is completely different,” Brissett mentioned reflecting on that second. “I do not assume phrases can describe how robust 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 group’s rookie QB.
“I believe Drake now offers us the very best 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 begin, in keeping with sources aware of his considering, although 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 maintain them aggressive earlier than passing the torch.
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As a substitute, 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 state of affairs?” a high-ranking group government requested at a apply main as much as that sport.
That very same day, an assistant coach exclaimed: “We’ll see what the child’s obtained!”
Since Maye’s debut, the Patriots have not appeared again at quarterback.
Maye, 6-foot-4 and 225 kilos, has accomplished 66.7% of his passes (twenty second 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 have been the third most by a quarterback in franchise historical past.
He enters the season finale in opposition to the Payments having thrown no less than one landing cross in eight straight video games, which is a Patriots rookie file. 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.
Within 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 changing into a head coach — has proven this season. He has delivered conflicting messages to the media, and there have been instances a extra aggressive on-field strategy might need benefitted the group — reminiscent of after considered one of Maye’s finest moments.
The Patriots trailed the Titans 17-10 in Week 9. Maye stood in anticipation of a snap from heart Ben Brown. There have 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.
“No person’s open!” Fox play-by-play announcer Jason Benetti mentioned.
By this level, 11.82 seconds had handed, in keeping with NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. So with two Titans defenders charging towards him and one ripping him to the bottom, Maye heaved the ball to the other facet of the tip 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 experience Maye’s scorching hand and try a two-point conversion for the win or go for the additional level and the tie.
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Maye unbuckled his chinstrap and jogged again to the sideline as Mayo elected for the PAT and time beyond regulation. The Patriots misplaced the coin toss, kicked off and surrendered an extended drive that resulted in a area aim. Then, Maye was intercepted to finish the sport.
“I am at all times going to do what I believe is finest for the group,” Mayo mentioned. “I believe we will discuss analytics and all these issues, which we do use these issues. On the similar 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 resolution to play for time beyond regulation as an alternative of the win was considered one of a number of in-game choices Mayo has made that was debatable. Electing for a 68-yard game-ending area 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, partly as a result of a 68-yarder has by no means been made earlier than.
“He is getting helpful expertise in situational soccer,” former Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich mentioned. “I do not care who you’re, or how lengthy you’ve got performed it, till you’re put in conditions the place they only pop up and you must react to them, you are going to must undergo the fireplace. … If he have been to undergo each scenario, possibly he modifies his thoughts on a few of these choices the subsequent 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 have been able to “burn some money” in free company, a comment he later mentioned was a “rookie mistake” whereas clarifying the group 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 subsequent day, saying he wasn’t referencing Van Pelt and that it was a defensive response to a subject he did not wish to handle.
This previous Sunday, Mayo mentioned in a pregame radio interview that Gibson would begin at working again instead of Stevenson after Stevenson fumbled a league-high seventh time the week prior — solely to have Stevenson begin the sport. Pressed on what occurred, Mayo known as it a “coach’s resolution.”
This offseason, Mayo mentioned he plans to do “deep dives” on all points of his first 12 months — together with sport administration, every little thing referring to “construction and tradition” and what occurred in information conferences.
“Do I believe I’ve performed issues proper? Completely. Are there methods to enhance? 1,000% Do I want I’d have performed sure issues otherwise? Yeah,” he mentioned.
“I’ll go someplace the place nobody can discover me — simply on my own, no children, no nothing — and simply mirror on the season. I believe it is vital not just for soccer gamers, however anybody to take these instances and see what you are able to do higher.”
THERE HAVE BEEN fleeting glimpses of what a successful group and tradition may appear to be beneath Mayo’s management.
Not lengthy after the Patriots’ most convincing results of the season — a 19-3 win over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Discipline in Week 10 — Mayo let loose a loud yell contained in the group’s locker room. “Yeahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!”
Mayo then handed out the sport balls.
He began with kicker Joey Slye, who was 4-for-4 on area targets. As Mayo delivered the soccer, he added that Slye’s spouse, Brittaney, had simply given start to a child woman, Palmer.
The room roared, and shortly after, Mayo known as up linebacker Jahlani Tavai.
Mayo informed gamers that Tavai’s fiancée, Kalei, had additionally simply given start to a child woman, Honua, and defined the which means of the title — “earth in Hawaiian.” Mayo briefly appeared down at a chunk of paper in his left hand to substantiate 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 exhibiting gamers he cared for them earlier than demanding from them — and maybe at no different time throughout the season had that strategy come to the forefront than that day within the guests locker room at Soldier Discipline.
The Patriots have not received since, however gamers have stood by Mayo by means of the rocky instances, saying they imagine in him and his management fashion.
“It is the brand new fashion coming in, what gamers want,” receiver DeMario Douglas mentioned. “We want that vitality, that younger vitality that has us feeling like we might run by means of a brick wall for him. Regardless of the file, he had us able to go and play the subsequent sport.”
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Mayo put gamers by means of a difficult coaching camp, with some veterans noting it was more durable than what that they had skilled within the closing years beneath Belichick. Nonetheless, they have been projected to win 4 video games and entered Week 1 at Cincinnati because the NFL’s largest underdog that week.
Within the locker room after the primary sport, in keeping with a video posted on the Patriots’ official web site, Kraft informed gamers: “Nobody exterior this room believed this might occur. I am spoiled now. I’ll rely on much more.”
Wanting again, one high-ranking group official mentioned the sudden opening win shifted expectations when the roster was missing sufficient expertise to compete, placing extra strain 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 really 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 is studying as a first-year coach — not overthinking.”
Gibson, who mentioned he felt a robust connection to Mayo from the day he signed as a free agent in March due to the way in which he welcomed his daughter Taylor in his workplace, took word of how Mayo managed gamers’ workloads.
The mix of a rigorous coaching camp and having the NFL’s newest bye week (Week 14) required changes.
“He is been in our sneakers earlier than, so you’ll be able to type of see how our schedule went. Particularly with our file, the place a coach may not let up on you, I do not assume he did that,” Gibson mentioned. “He understood the place we have been at, how our our bodies have been feeling at sure factors of the season, and he undoubtedly appeared out for us from that standpoint.”
OPTIMISM WAS STILL prevalent on Aug. 18 when Patriots vp of participant personnel Eliot Wolf addressed reporters for the primary (and solely) time because the group started coaching camp.
Wolf appeared shocked by the horde of media surrounding him on the sting of the group’s apply 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 believe we’ve the items in place to compete.”
It was a pricey miscalculation.
Due a mix 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 combos getting into their season finale.
“We have 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 cross block win fee (50.8%), in keeping with ESPN Analytics. Additionally they rank final in run block win fee (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).
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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 might be a high precedence once more within the offseason.
“Expertise-wise they should redo the O-line and discover 5 they will carry on the sector,” former Patriot and present NBC analyst Devin McCourty mentioned. “Younger O-linemen getting reps this 12 months ought to assist them going ahead.”
One other miscalculation has been the expectations for progress on protection, given Mayo’s background as a defensive participant and assistant.
Whereas the Patriots have been hit with key accidents to linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (season-ending torn pectoral muscle in Week 2) and defensive deal with Christian Barmore (restricted to 4 video games after being recognized 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, in keeping with ESPN Analysis, 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.
Coming into final season’s finale, the Patriots had given up 349 factors and 37 touchdowns. Coming into this season’s closing sport, they’ve allowed 401 factors and 45 touchdowns.
The purple zone protection presently ranks twenty fourth in landing proportion (61.8%) after ending fifth final season (46.1%).
“We now have some new coaches — studying the best way to do issues their approach,” veteran defensive deal with Davon Godchaux mentioned. “It is nonetheless, mainly on protection, the identical stuff we did prior to now, possibly add one or two new wrinkles. We simply must discover ways to end video games.”
0:45
Jerrod Mayo: If Drake Maye is wholesome, he is beginning vs. Payments
Patriots head coach Jerrod Mayo relays that quarterback Drake Maye will play vs. the Payments so long as he is wholesome.
IF THE PATRIOTS lose to the Buffalo Payments on Sunday at Gillette Stadium (1 p.m. ET, CBS), they are going to 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 embody receiver, defensive deal with and cross rusher, they’re anticipated to be aggressive in free company.
“There may be undoubtedly a necessity for extra expertise,” Ninkovich mentioned. “The offensive line struggled, and the depth is not superb. … Defensively, they underperformed from the place many thought they might be from final 12 months to this 12 months, and so they might use a pass-rusher who will get to the quarterback. Whereas they want extra expertise, I additionally assume one other 12 months of studying will assist the entire group, 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 begin his second season.
“It takes time. Have a 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 obtained it nailed down.”
Likewise, the Bengals’ Zac Taylor was 6-25-1 in his first two seasons (2019, 2020). One group supply pointed to the endurance Bengals possession confirmed with Taylor for what might occur in New England, linking the promise that quarterback Joe Burrow dropped at Cincinnati in 2020 to what Maye may do with extra assist and expertise round him.
“It hasn’t gone the way in which that any of us have needed it to go,” Mayo mentioned. “Steve Jobs had a quote the place you could have ‘successful years’ after which you could have ‘character-building years.’ This has been a type of character-building years that I am going to at all times keep in mind.”
