Bill Belichick confronts Jerod Mayo to defend his former players…

Considered by many to be the greatest coach in NFL history due to his eight Super Bowl championships, Bill Belichick is currently a free agent. After so many years at the helm of the New England Patriots, it seems he is upset with his successor, Jerod Mayo, for the remarks he has made against his players.

In 2023, the Patriots decided to fire Belichick after finishing the season with a record of 4-13. It is still unknown if, at 72, Bill will return to coach in the NFL, but one thing is certain: he remains an important influence.

After the game between the Patriots and the Jacksonville Jaguars, where they were crushed 32-16, Jerod Mayo was very frustrated with his players and remarked that his team is “soft,” especially the defense.

“We’re a soft football team across the board. 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. We did none of those today,” Mayo said.

Belichick believes Mayo’s comments are unjustified since the team is almost identical to last year’s squad and, in his view, they are anything but soft, especially in the defensive area where they were among the best last season.

“It’s a lot of the same players from last year,” said Belichick, who was fired after New England’s 4-13 season in 2023-24. “I’m kinda hurt for those guys because to call them soft, they are not soft. They were the best team in the league last year against the run. I feel bad for the defensive players on that one,” Belichick told Pat McAfee on ESPN.

Belichick also thinks it’s unfair for Mayo to speak that way about his team when luck hasn’t been on their side at the start of the season, especially referring to injuries. A significant loss for the Patriots is Christian Barmore due to blood clots. Additionally, linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley has a pectoral injury, and starting safety Jabrill Peppers is out indefinitely due to allegations of drug possession and violence.

The Patriots are one of the worst teams this season with a record of 1-6. Their only victory surprisingly came against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1.

Their next opponent will be the New York Jets on Sunday, October 27, at their home, Gillette Stadium. In Week 9, they will visit the Tennessee Titans, and in Week 10, they will face the Bears.