Hoyer and Johnson: Patriots players defending Mayo speaks volumes originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The more the New England Patriots lose, the more media members and fans wonder whether Jerod Mayo will remain keep his job past the 2024 season.
But as speculation heats up about Mayo’s job security, Patriots players have delivered a consistent message about their head coach.
Rookie quarterback Drake Maye delivered the loudest message after Sunday’s 24-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills, calling reports that Mayo’s job may not be safe after this season “some B.S.” and giving a strong vote of confidence for both Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.
Former Patriots quarterback Brian Hoyer was particularly impressed with Maye’s ability to take accountability for his own play while supporting his coaches.
“The New England Patriots organization is lucky to have a young man who is as talented as he is,” Hoyer said on NBC Sports Boston’s Patriots Postgame Live. “He goes up there and takes the ownership and puts his own reputation on the line for the coach that everybody is trying to get out of here.”
Mayo and Van Pelt also received a vote of confidence from tight end Hunter Henry, who said he “loves” playing for the head coach and OC. And from Hoyer’s perspective, the number of veterans who have publicly praised their coaches this season carry much more weight than any criticism in the media.
“You’ve got Davon Godchaux, Christian Barmore, Jabrill Peppers, Michael Onwenu — guys that I’ve been in the locker room with that I have a lot of respect for — they’re saying it’s not the coaches,” Hoyer said. “(They) feel like, ‘Whatever (the coaches) call and we execute it and we’re on the same page, we will do it.’
“So, I think you have to listen. We can sit here and speculate all we want. But listen to the players who know. … Listen to these guys who are veteran players who’ve been coached by Bill Belichick, been in the playoffs, all of those things. Listen to what they…
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