After a tough loss to the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots QB Drake Maye isn’t holding back on the buzz about head coach Jerod Mayo’s job security. With rumors flying fast, Maye’s calling out the noise.
Is Mayo really on the hot seat, or is the media just stirring stuff up? Maye’s got some strong thoughts.
Drake Maye Defends Coaches Amid Hot Seat Rumors
Maye isn’t here for the drama. After another frustrating loss — this time 24-21 to the Bills at Highmark — Maye shot down the noise about HC Mayo possibly being on the hot seat.
“Just trying to block out that noise. I think the conversations about our coaching staff and stuff like that, it’s some bulls**t, to be quite honest,” the 22-year-old told reporters.
The Patriots’ season has been, well, okay-ish. At 3-12, they’re officially out of the playoff race and on track for their second straight losing season.
But Maye’s not worried about the chatter. Instead, he’s focused on keeping the fight alive. “Coach Mayo, we’ve got his back,” Maye said. “He’s coaching us hard. He wants to win, we all want to win. We’re all frustrated.”
#Patriots QB Drake Maye on the negative dialogue surrounding the coaching staff:
“Stuff like that, I think it’s some [bull s**t] to be quite honest… Coach Mayo, like I said, we’ve got his back…
I think we’re building something good… I’m proud to be a Patriot.”
A leader. pic.twitter.com/Ds6jhkHhxC
— Carlos Talks Pats (@LosTalksPats) December 23, 2024
As for offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt? Maye’s got his back too.
“AVP, I feel, has been calling great (plays) past (few) weeks, we’re just (a few) plays away.” Sounds like Maye’s sick of hearing that the coaching staff is the problem.
He pointed to the fight and energy from the entire team, despite the grim record. “I think we’re building something good, building something that feels right here. I’m proud to be a Patriot.”
This isn’t the first time Maye’s stepped up to defend his coaches. Earlier this week, he told the media, “We trust the plan [Mayo’s] got for us.” With a 3-12 record, the Pats are having one of their worst seasons in decades.
But at least Maye isn’t throwing in the towel just yet. And who knows? With plays like that TD pass to Kayshon Boutte, the future might still have some spark left after all.
Maye Sparks Patriots With TD, Tying Rookie Record
Maye lit it up early in Buffalo, hitting WR Boutte for a slick 28-yard touchdown at 12:03 in the first quarter, putting the Patriots up 7-0. The pass was Maye’s 13th TD of the season and marked his seventh straight game with at least one — tying Jim Plunkett’s rookie record.
The scoring drive was a quick, no-nonsense six-play, 58-yard beauty, capped by Maye threading the needle to Boutte, who was glued to CB Kaiir Elam. The real MVP on the play? RB Antonio Gibson. He picked up the blitz and gave Maye the breathing room to deliver in a legit 12-degree game.
Then, on the very next drive, RB Rhamondre Stevenson had a 14-yard TD, capping a 16-play, 91-yard drive. Keep it up, and Maye might just light the way for New England’s future.