Newsletter Signup
Stay up to date on all the latest news from Boston.com
New Patriots RB Antonio Gibson thinks Jerod Mayo has a ‘different vibe’ from other NFL coaches
"I feel like that’s something that might be a positive thing in the locker room."
Beyond the promise of a more featured role on a rebuilding offense in Foxborough, Antonio Gibson was impressed by the initial pitch put forth by new Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo.
While Mayo’s disposition and reputation as a players’ coach was always going to stand in stark contrast to Bill Belichick, Gibson stressed on Monday that Mayo is cut from a different cloth than any NFL coach that he’s interacted with so far.
“Definitely a different vibe from a head coach just from the one day I met him. Nothing against (former Commanders coach Ron) Rivera,” Gibson said in his first meeting with Patriots reporters on Monday. “(But Mayo) didn’t sound like a coach. It sounded like he was talking to one of the guys.
Advertisement:
“I feel like that’s something that might be a positive thing in the locker room. For him to be able to relate and communicate like that and kinda understanding both sides of it.”
Gibson, who added that Mayo gave his daughter a tour of his office and the whole team facilities at Gillette Stadium, said the first-year head coach and New England’s overhauled staff have made it easy to buy into what they’re trying to build in Foxborough.
“A bunch of young guys, a new coaching staff, I got a chance to talk to a lot of the coaches and I’m super excited for what they’ve got planned and how they plan on moving things forward,” Gibson said of the appeal of joining the Patriots. “Me and my agent talked it over — we had a lot of good talks — and we felt like this was the best place for me. They showed love, they reciprocated it, and I’m just ready to get things going.”
Advertisement:
Gibson, who signed a three-year contract with a base value of $11.25 million last week after an extended tenure with Washington, is looking to carve out a featured role behind Rhamondre Stevenson on New England’s depth chart.
A former wide receiver during his collegiate years at the University of Memphis, Gibson fits the profile of the third-down, pass-catching back that has routinely thrived in Foxborough.
Even though Gibson averaged a career-best 5.8 yards per touch during the 2023 season, he was utilized more as a receiving threat with the Commanders — reeling in a career-high 48 receptions on 59 targets. Gibson has 172 receptions in his career and has caught 80.8% of his targets.
But Gibson doesn’t view himself as just a receiving threat in New England.
“I’m not going to stick myself just to third-down back,” Gibson noted. “I want to compete just the same as everybody else. I think that’s only going to make the running back room better. I’m not here to step on anybody’s toes.
“But at the end of the day, we have to compete and I’m not just here to take the backseat. So, I feel like we can do a lot of great things together, me and the running back room, just adding on. I’m looking forward to having a great year with these guys.”
Advertisement:
Even with his reputation as a dependable receiver, Gibson started off his NFL career as an every-down back.
During his rookie season with Washington in 2020, Gibson ran for 795 yards and 11 touchdowns before racking up 1,037 rushing yards and seven scores the following season. Gibson was the first Washington rookie to record 1,000 yards from scrimmage since Alfred Morris in 2012.
But Gibson eventually saw his touches decline in Washington, especially after the arrival of fellow running back Brian Robinson. Gibson’s touches went from 300 during the 2021 season to just 113 in 2023, but a change of scenery offers hope for more reps for the 25-year-old back.
“Much respect to Washington,” Gibson said. “They gave me my opportunity and I’m forever thankful. But I feel like a fresh start was needed. Things kind of went a little south for me. Like my backend two years, I felt like I was still able to play, just things didn’t work out that way.
“No disrespect to anybody. But I feel like here, fresh start, new faces, just to start all over in front of new coaches, prove myself again and get out there and compete with the guys.”
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com