Bill Belichick calls out Jerod Mayo over public criticism of Patriots

Nov 10, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks to the media before an NFL International Series practice at the Deutcher Fussball-Bund facility. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Jerod Mayo called New England Patriots players “soft” after their loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, and it sounds like Bill Belichick thinks the coach needs to take a look in the mirror.

Following a 32-16 loss to the Jaguars in London, Mayo called the Patriots a “soft football team across the board.” The first year coach cited New England’s inability to run the ball, stop the run, and cover kicks. Belichick was asked about the comments during a Monday appearance on “The Pat McAFee Show,” and he noted that many of the same players the Patriots have on defense helped the team lead the NFL in rushing defense last season.

Belichick’s reaction to Mayo’s criticism drew a lot of attention. The 72-year-old offered an even bolder stance during the newest “Let’s Go!” podcast when discussing the situation with Tom Brady and Jim Gray.

“You know, look, I think when you criticize your team publicly like that, it doesn’t always go over well. Every coach has their own style, and maybe sometimes that can be effective and all,” Belichick said. “Ultimately, I always felt like when the team played bad that was my responsibility, too. We might have had bad playing, but we had bad coaching that led to bad playing. So, I think it’s always best to kind of take a look at yourself and do what you can do to help the team.”

Bill Belichick on the @Patriots, after Jerod Mayo's comments:

"I don't think those players on defense are soft. But they haven't stopped the run very well."

On an all-new "Let's Go!" with @JimGrayOfficial and guest @TomBrady

DOWNLOAD & SUBSCRIBE https://t.co/QUR51NnnIn pic.twitter.com/bB0LbT2PAI

— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) October 22, 2024

Mayo probably meant the Patriots are playing “soft” football, not that the players themselves are soft. He likely also knows that his team’s play is a reflection of him as a coach.

It would be easy to say Belichick is just bitter over the Patriots pushing him out and promoting Mayo. Belichick was not the only former Patriot to question Mayo’s approach, however.