New England coach Jerod Mayo sparked controversy during the Patriots' 24-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills despite leading 14-0 a minute into the second quarter.
The Bills (12-3) responded with 24 unanswered points. New England (3-12) could only cut the deficit to three points with 1:13 remaining in the game.
However, it was Mayo's decision to punt on fourth-and-6 from the Bills' 45-yard line late in the game that has drawn criticism. At that point, New England trailed 24-14 with 8:33 remaining. Critics and fans argued that this was a poor choice on social media, adding to the chorus calling for Mayo's ouster.
But rookie quarterback Drake Maye expressed support for the embattled rookie head coach.
Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!
"BS, if you ask me, Coach Mayo, we got his back," Maye said. "He coaches us hard. He wants to win. We all want to win.”
Team backs Jerod Mayo amid criticism
New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo's recent track record looks poor, failing to secure a win since November. After opening the season with a win, New England went on a six-game losing skid. The Patriots are on a five-game losing streak, with back-to-back losses to the Arizona Cardinals and Buffalo Bills raising questions about his future.
On Sunday, the coach said that the team is working hard and improving and that everyone is committed to winning. He expressed confidence that their efforts will soon be reflected in better results.
Patriots owner Robert Craft had faith in Mayo, who spent his entire eight-year playing career and won a Super Bowl in New England before becoming an assistant coach with the franchise in 2019. Craft replaced the legendary Bill Belichick with Mayo, signaling long-term confidence in his leadership potential.
Despite rumors that Mike Vrabel, a former Patriots player who had a successful stint with the Tennessee Titans, would be the right choice for the position, the owner chose to go with Mayo.
New England Patriots Nation! Check out the latest Patriots Schedule and dive into the New England Patriots Depth Chart for NFL Season 2024-25.