While Wednesday marked the first day of media availability for “Jets Week,” the lingering theme of the day for players and coaches became responding to questions from the conclusion of “Jaguars Week.”
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo’s postgame comments from Sunday’s 32-16 loss to Jacksonville are still receiving top billing.
“Look, we’re a soft football team across the board,” said Mayo at the podium in London. “You talk about what makes a tough football team - that’s being able to run the ball, that’s being able to stop the run, and that’s being able to cover kicks. And we did none of those today.”
Mayo attempted to play damage control during his “Mayo Monday” interview with The Greg Hill Show, saying he meant to say his team was “playing soft.”
But at that point, the damage had been done.
Package it how you want, but you called your professional football team soft.
When asked on Wednesday if he was looking to make his players mad with those postgame comments to invoke a prove-you-wrong mentality, Mayo said he was going with his gut reaction to what he just saw unfold on the pitch at Wembley Stadium.
“Look, I'm just telling you, when I talk after games, it's about what I see out there on the field at that current time,” said Mayo. “In saying that, the guys are preparing like it's any other week, and we're talking about the Jets.”
Throughout his seven minutes with the media, Mayo continued to steer his answers to questions about softness towards looking ahead to their game against New York.
“Look, we're on to the Jets today,” said Mayo. “We've had those conversations. I've always looked at that as an opportunity to go out there and prove everyone wrong. Once again, going back to a chip on your shoulder, we've all had those chips on our shoulders at times that have gotten us through. So, this is no different.
“Obviously, once again, we are struggling as a team. Our record is what it is. It's about what we can do to get better.”
When asked how his players reacted to the soft comments immediately following the postgame press conference, Mayo said, “Look, after the game, we're all disappointed. On a long plane ride home, we're all disappointed. Again, it's about getting to Wednesday so we can now focus on the next target. The guys have good juice. We’re expecting a good practice, and we'll see how it looks on Sunday.”
J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets.
Mayo was ready to channel Fireman Ed, but the media wasn’t ready to move on.
Unlike their head coach, Patriots players did not shy away from answering questions about their alleged softness.
Veteran tight end Hunter Henry said that his team being called soft by their head coach is something that has to be taken as a challenge to the locker room.
“I think it’s got to challenge you,” said the offensive captain. “I mean, this is a physical game. You never want that to be our identity, at all. So I think that’s a big challenge for all of us. I think I’ve looked at myself in the mirror, and I think everybody else will look at themselves. I mean, that’s a big challenge, and you never want to be identified that way.”
When Henry was asked how he felt the team would react, he said, “I think the team will react great. I mean, like I said - you don’t wanna be called that. So, you know, I think we’ve got a lot of great football players in there, a lot of tough football players in there, and I think everybody will react great.”
Veteran defensive end Deatrich Wise’s reaction happened in real time at the podium, as he told the media that he didn’t hear Mayo’s postgame comments.
“I know what the Patriots standard looks like, what the defense supposed to look like,” said the defensive captain. “And once we get back to that level, then I think we’ll be able to play at that level, and that’s a high level. So that’s kind of what my mindset is, honestly.”
Second-year wide receiver Kayshon Boutte heard the comments, telling the media that it was the first time he had ever dealt with something like that from a coach.
“I’ve never been called soft by a coach,” said Boutte. “I feel like it was a shot at the whole team, but you’ve got to play harder.
“We’re tired of being 1-6, so I understand where he was coming from.”
Another player who seemingly had understanding for his first-year head coach was veteran defensive tackle Davon Godchaux.
“I don’t think he was initially just calling the team soft,” said Godchaux. “Just, you know, probably something like frustration, you know? I know he definitely felt a different way about the team.
“But, you know, when you frustrated, you know things come out. But I definitely know that [Mayo didn’t] mean that towards the team. So that’s all I have to say on that.”
Whether the team is soft, or playing soft, or some combination of both, one thing is 100% true:
The New England Patriots have lost six straight games for the first time since 1993, and are currently in-line for the number one pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
And while they’ve become the league’s “get-right” opponent, they’re in desperate need of the Jets to play that role in Week 8.
But if you believe Vegas, that’s ain’t happening.
Both BetMGM and FanDuel list the Patriots as a home underdog, with the Jets coming in as a full 7-point favorite.