After Sunday's loss to the Patriots, Jerod Mayo appeared to throw offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt under the bus and was left to do damage control.
New England's first-year head coach was asked about the possibility of calling more red-zone running plays for rookie quarterback Drake Maye after a 30-17 loss to the Cardinals.
Mayo: “You said so.” he told reporters. “I didn't.”
Asked a follow-up question about whether Van Pelt was responsible for that task, he acknowledged some responsibility but appeared to shift the blame to the offensive coordinator.
“That's always my decision,” Mayo said. “I think the quarterback obviously has good legs.”
Mayo, who coached under former coach Bill Belichick and also played linebacker, appeared on WEEI's Greg Hill Show Monday morning and retracted his comments.
“I didn't mean it that way. It's probably a hasty reaction,” he said. “And I tried to clarify that in my next question and said that ultimately it's my decision. Ultimately, all the decisions are up to me, whether it's offensively, defensively, special teams. I just wanted to put it out there.”
Offensive coordinator Alex van Pelt watches from the sideline during the game.
In the second half, they played against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. imagine the image
With the Patriots winning 3-11 and a frustrated Robert and Jonathan Kraft seen in the owner's box during the game, there are questions about whether Mayo's handling of the situation further increases his chances of landing a hot seat. It is occurring.
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer said of Mayo's comments on NBC Sports Boston's “Sports Sunday,” “If you're criticizing Van Pelt, your fingers are pointing in the wrong direction.'' “There is,” he said.
“And now I think the score could change as to who the head coach will be in 2025. I think a lot of things have changed today. And I think the frustration in the owner's box, the press conference… I think you saw it going that way, and I think we have to — I think everyone should pay attention right now.”
