Drake Maye spoke out in support of the Patriots’ coaching staff after Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills, calling all the criticism they received “some bullshit.” It’s the first time the rookie quarterback has really spoken out in a postgame press conference, and it meant a lot to Jerod Mayo.

“It means a lot. It means a lot. “Hopefully these guys know that they are important to me not only as football players, but also as men,” the coach said during his weekly video conference on Monday. “That’s always been my message and it’s been that way all year. I care about these guys as men and I need to continue to improve so we can get in the win column and move forward.”

The coaching staff was the subject of much criticism throughout much of the season in both play-calling and decision-making. The team was thrust into the spotlight again on Sunday when Mayo decided to punt on fourth-and-5 at its own 45-yard line with 8:33 to play and the Patriots trailed 24-14. Mayo got it to field position, but it was just another moment that followed criticism.

The players have supported Mayo as coach despite a difficult 2024 season. Multiple reports suggest he will return in 2025 barring a catastrophic setback in the final games of the campaign.

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