It sounded like the Patriots were sending a message to a top playmaker. Instead, Jerod Mayo broke his word…again.

The New England head coach was available as usual on 98.5 The Sports Hub ahead of his team’s embarrassing loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium. He told Scott Zolak that Antonio Gibson would start ahead of Rhamondre Stevenson. The move would likely be due to Stevenson’s issues with ball security.

However, when the Patriots got the ball after a Chargers punt, Stevenson got the ball on the first possession. Gibson beat Stevenson 12 to 2, but it still felt like business as usual for the Patriots.

Despite his words, when Mayo was asked about Stevenson in the starting lineup on 98.5 The Sports Hub, he called it a “coach’s decision,” according to a video provided by the team. Reporters investigated the matter, but the 38-year-old deflected and reiterated that it was a “coach’s decision.”

It was another time Mayo walked back his comments. He even responded to Keion White’s frustration with the coaching staff. It was also another fakeout with Stevenson. The Patriots benched the running back to begin their Week 5 game against the Miami Dolphins. However, it was only temporary and the 26-year-old played his normal role.

Having Stevenson in the starting lineup was the least of New England’s problems against Los Angeles. However, calls for Mayo’s job continued to grow as the head coach showed little positive throughout the season.