Patriots coach Jerod Mayo heard the ‘Fire Mayo’ chants and understands crowd’s frustrations
"They paid to sit in the seats, and we've got to play better. If we play better, we don't have to hear that stuff."
Whether the Patriots coaching staff is coaching for their jobs in the final weeks of the season remains unknown. However, if the Krafts were watching Saturday’s performance with a keen eye, they didn’t see much to like.
New England looked like a football team outclassed by its opponent once again, en route to a 40-7 blowout loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Chargers, who are also in the first season with their new coach, albeit Jim Harbaugh is quite a bit more seasoned than Jerod Mayo.
Los Angeles, coming in at 9-6, was playing for a playoff spot — and acted like it. The Chargers dominated start to finish, leaving Patriots fans unhappy for just about all 60 minutes on Saturday. Fans were sure to let Mayo hear their frustrations, echoing a loud “Fire Mayo” chant at one point during the game.
During his postgame press conference, Mayo acknowledged he heard those chants.
“Look, you hear those things, but at the same time, they paid to sit in the seats, and we’ve got to play better,” Mayo told reporters. “If we play better, we don’t have to hear that stuff.”
New England was outgained 428-181 against the Chargers, who scored their highest single-game total of the season on Saturday.
Uncertainty remains in the air surrounding just about every New England coaching staff member, including Mayo. However, Mayo wouldn’t say too much when asked if he feels like he and the coaches are coaching for their jobs in Week 18.
“I’m always under pressure and it’s been that way for a very long time, not just when I became the head coach of the Patriots,” Mayo said. “I’m okay. Look, I always do what’s best for the team.”
Patriots defensive tackle Davon Godchaux had Mayo’s back postgame, calling the chants “ridiculous.”
New England has one more opportunity to put a good game on tape before heading into an offseason with a long list of issues to solve in 2025.
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