It would be a nice change for the Patriots to win or lose a game this season and not have to deal with the expected repercussions of something Jerod Mayo said in the aftermath. But that day will have to wait, as the head coach has seemingly put his foot in his mouth again after the team's latest loss to the Cardinals last Sunday.
Mayo has been a focal point of the criticism surrounding the Patriots season, going beyond just because he is the head coach. While his often candid comments to reporters are a welcomed change from the generally tight-lipped Bill Belichick, he seems to walk himself into controversy far more than needed.
He did that again after losing to the Cardinals 30-17 with his response about not calling a quarterback sneak during the game and seemingly throwing Alex Van Pelt under the bus. He made things a bit worse on Monday during his weekly appearance on WEEI.
Jerod Mayo continues to fan the flames of scrutiny with his latest comments after the Patriots Week 15 loss
With most fans and reporters still scratching their heads over his comments after the game, Mayo was asked about the situation while speaking on The Greg Hill Show Monday morning.
Besides his answer not sitting well with those listening, his overall attitude and demeanor didn't align with how a head coach in his position was expected to feel after watching his team lose embarrassingly the day before.
This clip is so strange. In many ways, it's a perfect encapsulation of the cultural u-turn in Foxboro -- for better or worse https://t.co/ast9gEphIp
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) December 16, 2024
With the Belichick way engrained in most fans after nearly a quarter century, it's a bit shocking to hear a head coach making jokes and laughing during an interview after a very beatable team just demolished the Patriots.
Because the fans are far from satisfied and have continued to air their frustrations with how the 2024 season has gone, Mayo's behavior was not well received, and for good reason. It seems to line up with the reports from earlier this season that suggested the locker room was light-heartedness after losses, which was a bad look especially when compared to Drake Maye's opposite reaction.
It seemed like a silly rumor at the time, and while it might not be entirely accurate, seeing Mayo joking around after a loss like this only fuels the fire that the team is not in a good place, starting from the top.