After the Patriots’ fourth straight loss Sunday, which pushed New England to 3-11 in the season, questions continue to surround Jerod Mayo’s job security.
While it may become increasingly difficult to justify Mayo keeping his job, he appears to have the backing of the Patriots players — including rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
“Yeah, it’s his first year. His first year coaching, being a head coach, it’s a tough challenge,” Maye told reporters at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, per team-provided transcript. “… It’s a lot of responsibility. He’s figuring it out, and I think our players, we’re behind him. We’re backing him.”
Even though the results are not there yet, Maye believes the wins will come.
“We trust the plan he’s got for us, and we trust what he says in the team meeting rooms and all those little sayings that he has,” Maye said. “We believe in it, and we’re bought into it. I just think the results are coming. I think they’re coming. I think everybody wishes they were now, and I think we’re kind of striving for that. But sometimes, it doesn’t work out that way. But I think we’re overcoming, and the winning is coming in the near future.”
The Patriots have had plenty of dysfunction on the sidelines determining just who is to blame for the lack of results — Mayo or offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. Maye credited Van Pelt for his development since taking over as the starting quarterback in Week 6 against the Houston Texans.
Mayo’s ability to retain players’ buy-in has come on both sides of the ball.
“It’s his first year,” defensive captain Deatrich Wise Jr. said, per MassLive’s Mark Daniels. “I feel like there are a lot of coaches whose first year isn’t good and then they go on to do great things. … He’s doing a great job. Always brings high energy.”
Wise isn’t completely wrong with his statement. In 2021, Lions head coach Dam Campbell began his tenure with Detroit with a 3-13 record. Just two seasons later, Campbell led the Lions to a 12-5 record and an NFC Championship Game appearance.
Mayo himself declined to discuss his job status when he met with reporters Wednesday as the team prepares for its Week 16 matchup with the Buffalo Bills.
