Drake Maye doubles down on his confidence in Patriots’ coaching staff following blowout loss to Chargers
“They’re still bringing it every week. … They’re not quitting.”
MORE PATRIOTS
A half-full Gillette Stadium grew restless on Saturday afternoon as the Patriots fell in embarrassing fashion to the Los Angeles Chargers, 40-7.
Chants of “Fire Mayo!” rang out in the fourth quarter as New England’s deficit increased and the Patriots fell to 3-13 on the season.
Quarterback Drake Maye, perhaps the team’s lone positive in their latest contest, reiterated his support of head coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt after the loss.
“They’re still bringing it every week. I think that’s the biggest thing,” Maye told reporters from the podium. “They’re not quitting, they’re still coaching as hard since Week 1. They’re still studying film as hard, still meeting as hard.
“So I think the biggest thing is you don’t see those guys quitting. The score may not tell it today, but those guys are still wanting to win, we’re still leaving it all out there every week.”
After last week’s close loss to the Buffalo Bills, Maye made similar comments backing his coaches.
“Just trying to block out that noise,” Maye said of the narratives around Mayo and Van Pelt. Mayo seemingly called out Van Pelt’s play calling following the Patriots’ loss to the Cardinals in Week 15. “I think it’s a bunch of conversations about our coaching staff and stuff like that. I think it’s some B.S. to be quite honest.
“Coach Mayo, like I said, we got his back and he coaches hard. He wants to win. We all want to win. We’re all frustrated.”
Maye has backed his coaches all year, a good sign from a young QB, despite the coaching staff’s shortcomings.
In Maye’s case, he has continued to improve on the field and cement himself as New England’s franchise QB. All despite poor offensive line play, mediocre weapons around him, and an entire coaching staff whose jobs could be on the line.
Owner Robert Kraft reportedly assured Mayo that he would not be fired after the season, according to The Athletic‘s Dianna Russini earlier this month.
However, NFL insider Ian Rapoport said last week that a head coaching change could be made under certain circumstances.
“Now, if things go off the rails — they really struggle and he loses the locker room the last couple games of the season — we’ve seen this thing turn,” he said.
New England plays one more game this season, a home game against the Bills next Sunday at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. Week 18 will mark Maye’s final game of his rookie year.
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