Jerod Mayo addresses social media post from another ‘frustrated’ Patriots receiver
KJ Osborn is probably frustrated about his playing time, which is a natural response to the situation, Mayo said.
Patriots receiver KJ Osborn posted a screenshot of a text message from sports agent Brandon Abdala on Instagram praising the receiver for his handling of a frustrating situation.
“Being proud of you is an understatement,” Abdala wrote. “From being told you would be inactive Wednesday and only taking 3 reps all week in practice to being told you were activated at 11 p.m. Saturday night and going in the game at another position all the way across the world in London!!
“You held your composure and did what a pro does,” he continued. “You are a true pro K. I love you with my all K never change who you are. You are truly special. God always got us stay down and keep working. I’m with you while we figure out this situation and every other no matter you can count on me until the end.”
On Monday, Patriots coach Jerod Mayo was asked what “situation” Abdala was talking about.
“I’m not sure what the exact situation is,” Mayo said. “He’s probably frustrated because he’s not playing as much as he wants to. I understand that. If you think you should be out there on the field and not having those opportunities, you will get frustrated.”
“It’s a natural human reaction,” Mayo added. “I would hope that they would keep that stuff in-house, and I have that open door policy. If he feels a certain type of way, he always has the ability to speak to me, but that’s those guys’ freedom of speech.”
Osborn caught his first touchdown pass of the season in the Pats’ loss to the Jaguars. He finished with two catches for 26 yards on three targets.
It was his first game back after he missed the Dolphins and Texans games. He has seven catches for 57 yards on 16 targets this season.
Osborn is just the latest Patriots receiver to express frustration with his role.
Weeks ago, before Drake Maye was named starting quarterback, DeMario Douglas said his lack of touches was extremely frustrating. Rookie Ja’Lynn Polk posted a peace-sign emoji after ending the Jaguars game with zero catches for three targets.
Mayo said he had not spoken with Polk about the since-deleted post and that he does not question Polk’s devotion to the team.
Mayo said he does not plan on policing the players’ social media posts.
“That’s their personal platform,” Mayo said. “Now, would you like them to use it productively all the time? 100 percent. I’m not going to sit there and say ‘well you can’t throw up the peace sign or eyeballs’. That’s where the media and the fans just look into it and everyone is trying to figure it out, and only one person knows what it means, so maybe you should ask him.”
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