Jerod Mayo Clarifies Comments on Play Calling

New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo faced backlash after his postgame comments following a 30-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, which appeared to criticize offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt's play-calling. Specifically, Mayo's response 'You said it, I didn’t' to a question about the decision not to use quarterback Drake Maye for a run on crucial plays raised eyebrows and was interpreted as throwing Van Pelt under the bus. In a subsequent media session, Mayo clarified that he did not intend to blame Van Pelt, stating all critical decisions are ultimately his and that he can override any play call. He described his initial comment as a 'defensive response' and reiterated that he and Van Pelt are aligned on the team's strategy. Despite his attempts to clarify, concerns about internal dynamics and play-calling effectiveness linger as the team struggles with a 3-11 record. The Patriots may need to adapt their offensive strategy moving forward, particularly regarding designed runs for Maye, which have yet to be utilized this season.