Things were different on Monday when Patriots players cleaned out their lockers and met with the media at Gillette Stadium.
Coupled with the normal “what went wrong” and “what needs to change” questions after yet another disappointing season, were the questions about the players’ feelings regarding New England’s decision to fire head coach Jerod Mayo after an abysmal 4-13 season.
“I really got no thoughts,” defensive tackle Davon Godcahux told reporters, according to The Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed. “I don’t control none of those decisions. People made the decisions, they made them.”
When Godchaux was asked if he thought Mayo losing his job after one season was fair, he deflected to the owners of the Patriots.
“That’s not a question for me to answer,” he said, per NESN.com’s Sean McGuire. “That’s a question for the people that make those decisions.”
“Jerod was a great person, great leader, guy you can talk to on and off the field,” the eight-year veteran added, per Kyed. “So, of course, you’re gonna feel for a guy like this. I mean, it’s tough when something like this happens. But I’m not even I’m not in control. Nobody in this locker room is in control. It’s tough.”
Godchaux was not the only Patriot who sidestepped directly answering questions about Mayo’s firing.
“I love Jerod. I loved playing for him,” cornerback Christian Gonzalez told reporters, per CNLS Media. “But, none of us have no say on that. I mean, (ownership) made a decision and we gotta cherish the moments we had with him, hope the best for him and move on as an organization.”
The Patriots are trying to move quickly as they search for Mayo’s successor. As of Tuesday, New England has an interview with top candidate Mike Vrabel scheduled, and a request to meet with Ben Johnson has been submitted. They have already met with Pep Hamilton and Byron Leftwich since letting Mayo go on Sunday.
