Former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick didn't take kindly to Jerod Mayo calling some of his former players "soft."
The ex-coach-turned-analyst took offense to his former linebacker's characterization of the Patriots' play, particularly standing up for the defense during an interview on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday.
"You know, defensively, the Patriots led the league last year in rushing defense. Yards per carry, No. 1 in the league. And this year, they're way down in the 20s. It's the same guys," Belichick said. "They re-signed (Anfernee) Jennings. They re-signed (Jahlani) Tavai. Obviously, (Kyle) Dugger. Marcus Jones and (Christian) Gonzalez have been healthy all year, which they were both on IR at this point last year. You've got (Deatrich) Wise, you've got (Davon) Godchaux, you've got Keion White, you've got (Marte) Mapu. … It's a lot of the same players, and in some cases I would say more.
"I'm kind of hurt for those guys. To call them soft, they're not soft. They were the best team in the league last year against the run. Those guys went out there and did it even though we couldn't score many points offensively. I feel bad for the defensive players on that one because that's a tough group. … Those guys are all tough players, they'll strap it up and go."
In Belichick's final season in New England, the Patriots allowed a league-low 3.3 yards per carry and were fourth in total rush yards allowed.
On Sunday in London, the Patriots got ripped apart on the ground, allowing 171 rushing yards on 39 carries with two touchdowns. Tank Bigsby galloped for 118 yards and two scores on 26 carries. The Jaguars ran the ball on 17 straight plays in the third and fourth quarters -- the most consecutive carries by any team in 2024 -- and on 20 of their final 21 plays.
After the loss, Mayo said his team was "soft" and doubled down Monday morning but added that he believes the club can turn things around. Missing key defenders -- including Christian Barmore, Ja'Whaun Bentley and Jabrill Peppers, the latter of whom is on the Commissioner Exempt List -- has certainly hurt Mayo's defense in 2024.
Regardless of the context, it's clear that Belichick won't shy away from criticizing his replacement in New England.
