Patriots fans in meltdown as OC Alex Van Pelt issues strong message to disgruntled WR room: "Translates directly to STFU"

The New England Patriots are 1-6 through the first seven weeks of the season and even a quarterback change hasn't helped. The wide receiver room is unhappy with the offense and the lack of production which has now boiled over to offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.

Van Pelt spoke to reporters on Thursday morning and said that he understands that his WRs are frustrated. He added that he would like them to keep their focus "inward," which can be interpreted as refraining from voicing their frustrations publicly.

"That room in particular needs to keep the focus inward," Van Pelt said.

Fans on social media weren't happy with Van Pelt's comments. Some believed that he could have had this discussion with his players and not said anything to reporters.

Some longtime fans of the Patriots said they preferred the approach former coach Bill Belichick and his staff took. Rather than say anything, they handled these types of situations in-house. Others said that his playcalling was causing the players' frustrations.

"I miss the Patriots coaching staff not telling anyone s***," one fan said

"You need to keep the focus on developing new route concepts. Some of these route combos are atrocious," one fan suggested.

"Inward ? Say what they outward for the Ball if they be looking inward they will not see the Ball you are the "Head Coach" of this "Offence" do something other blaming the players draw plays that help to do their Job instead putting their living at stake to get Mayo fired," another fan on said.

Fans were also quick to comment that Van Pelt may not be fulfilling his job responsibilities. Some believe that he should be coaching his players in the film room and showing them what's going wrong.

"Maybe instead not this. Tell them to shut the f*** up or they won’t play," one fan commented.

"What a clown," another fan wrote.

"No kidding, those WRs aren’t s*** in this league yet, shut up and put some plays on film," one fan said.

Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte voiced his grievances on lack of production

The New England Patriots were hopeful that a change at QB with rookie Drake Maye would help the offense be more productive. That hasn't happened and the Patriots remain 31st in the league in passing yards per game with just 151.9 and 21st in the league for passing touchdowns per game with just one.

Second-year wide receiver Kayshon Boutte was one of the receivers who has expressed his displeasure. He spoke to reporters on Wednesday and said that he feels that he has to ask his coaches for an opportunity to get the ball, which he feels he shouldn't have to do.

“For me personally, in the game, I get frustrated when I’m not getting thrown the ball knowing that I’ve caught every ball that’s thrown to me this season," Boutte said. "So, I just feel like I would always go to the sideline and demand the ball. So, whether it was that deep ball – I asked for that. The Texans game, I asked for that. So, I feel like I shouldn’t have to really ask.”

In five games this season, Boutte has just eight receptions for 139 yards and one touchdown, which came in Week 6 against the Houston Texans.