Concerning trend continues to plague Patriots at the start of Jerod Mayo era

When it was officially announced that Jerod Mayo would be succeeding Bill Belichick as the New England Patriots head coach, there was excitement about all the changes the former linebacker would inevitably bring to the organization. Perhaps the most intriguing factor was the different vibe that would come with a young and beloved coach in the new role.

Players had spoken in favor of Mayo taking over after Belichick, whenever that might be, singing his praises for how he conducted himself throughout the 2023 season.

That brought on universal approval when Robert Kraft chose to promote him to the head coaching vacancy, and the compliments continue to flow as the 2024 season progresses.

The extreme change in atmosphere has been abundantly clear since Mayo took over the team, which has been a welcomed and much-needed change considering how poorly the environment had been over the last two years.

However, some significant concerns over the past few months, especially since the season began, have been tough to ignore and could be the ultimate downfall for the team and Mayo's tenure if not dealt with sooner rather than later.

Outspoken receivers this season might point to bigger issue in New England

Although there certainly seems to be a better vibe in the locker room than what was witnessed over the past three seasons, and the transparency that Mayo and Co. have implemented with the media has been a nice change, it's also bringing up some concerns about the communication behind closed doors, specifically with wide receivers.

The latest drama, even minor, was Mayo's comments regarding Ja'Lynn Polk needing to overcome mental obstacles after his forgettable Week 6 performance. The rookie responded, stating he wasn't "dealing with any mental problems" but feels like he's "limited" in what he can really do, prompting concerning reactions from fans and reporters alike.

It pointed to several other situations that have already occurred this season with players airing out their frustrations to the media or social media platforms, which isn't a good look for the new era in Foxboro.

One of the first instances was receiver Jalen Reagor's post to Instagram shortly before his release, seemingly implying that his current team was holding him back. There were also DeMario Douglas's comments about not being utilized in the offense with Jacoby Brissett under center, which was understandable but still not ideal.

Tyquan Thornton also took to Instagram in a similar fashion to Reagor, and earlier this week, we heard from Kayshon Boutte, who criticized the offense's approach at the start of games this season.

While some of what they've said is valid, it also raises concerns regarding the offense's plan and new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. There have already been questions surrounding his playcalling and whether he's a good fit for the team, so hearing from multiple unhappy receivers doesn't bode well for things going smoothly behind the scenes.

Because most of what was said was when Jacoby Brissett was still the starting quarterback, morale may go up now that Maye is utilizing other players. But no matter what happens, it's a situation worth monitoring, as if it progresses to get worse, the Patriots have a bigger issue on their hands than just frustrated players.

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