It sounded like the Patriots were going to send a message to a top playmaker. Instead, Jerod Mayo went back on his word … again.
The New England head coach did his usual availability on 98.5 The Sports Hub before his team’s embarrassing loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium. He revealed to Scott Zolak that Antonio Gibson would start over Rhamondre Stevenson. The move likely would have been due to Stevenson’s ball security issues.
However, when the Patriots got the ball after a Chargers punt, Stevenson got the ball on the first possession. Gibson out-carried Stevenson 12-to-2, but it still felt like business as usual for the Patriots.
When asked about the starting Stevenson despite his words on 98.5 The Sports Hub, Mayo called it a “coach’s decision,” per a team-provided video. Reporters followed up, but the 38-year-old deflected and reiterated that it was a “coach’s decision.”
It marked another time when Mayo walked back his comments. He even walked back Keion White’s frustrations with the coaching staff. It also marked another fakeout with Stevenson. The Patriots did bench the running back at the start of their Week 5 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. However, it proved only to be temporary and the 26-year-old played his normal role.
Starting Stevenson was the least of New England’s problems against Los Angeles. However, calls for Mayo’s job continued to grow as the head coach displayed little positives throughout the season.
