The Patriots post-Tom Brady era downfall has been one to study. With a dismal 3-13 record, the 2024 season is an added chapter to the study. After the recent loss to the Chargers, Daniel Ekuale didn’t mince words when he shared his brutally honest take on the team’s struggles: “I feel like towards the end of the 4th quarter, some of the guys just give up, and some guys play to the end of the whistle.” Ouch. That’s not the locker room vibe you’d expect from a team with New England’s pedigree… But HC Jerod Mayo has his own belief.

As expected, not everyone was ready to co-sign Ekuale’s frustration. And Mayo? Yeah, count him out! He brushed off the idea of a team-wide effort issue. “No, we still saw guys flying around. Giving good effort, and it was just more about execution as a whole,” Mayo told reporters post-game. So, what’s the real story? Is this just post-loss venting or a deeper crack in the foundation?

Well, well, well… The Pats dynasty is falling. Who’d have thought about that? It’s a loop now! After every loss, the Pats Nation searches for answers from Coach Mayo, who shrugs the blame off. But shrugging is one thing and shifting the blame becomes a whole different scenario. That’s what Mayo has been doing, pointing in the direction of the players and the coordinators. At this point, let’s call it what it is: A Chaotic Mess.

Saturday’s 40-7 blowout loss wasn’t just a defeat for New England—it was an unraveling. Yet, amidst the rubble, Mayo did find one bright spot: Cole Strange. After spending a year sidelined by a torn patellar tendon, the 2022 first-round pick not only suited up but took his first career snaps at center.

But at this point, no matter what/who Jerod finds, the Pats Nation is just calling for one thing: “Fire Mayo.” But we can say that the injuries haven’t been kind to him either. The biggest blow was losing his Captain, David Andrews, to a season-ending injury! And now, let’s just say he escaped a near-miss with his rookie QB Drake Maye.

Jerod Mayo is not too concerned about Drake Maye

When asked if Drake Maye was in concussion protocol, Jerod Mayo kept it short and sweet: “No, he isn’t.” That’s a relief, right? Phew! At least for now. With the Patriots staring at week 18 against the Bills, the rookie QB’s health has been a hot topic, and for good reason.

The stakes? If the Pats lose, they lock up the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. A win, though? That could send them sliding down the draft board. Talk about a high-risk, low-reward situation. That’s a weird pickle to be in! 

So, would the Pats consider sitting Maye? Mayo didn’t shut down the idea. “Right now, everything is in consideration, and we’ll see how the week goes,” he said. Fair enough. The Bills are already locked in as the No. 2 seed, meaning they’ll probably send out their backups. But here’s the kicker: Maye’s health isn’t just about one game—it’s about protecting their future franchise quarterback.

Maye had a scary moment against the Chargers when he took a brutal hit near the sideline. No flag, no mercy, just a hard lesson for the rookie. Maye admitted, “Sometimes you get your bell rung, and you’ve got to shake back.” Sure, he passed all the concussion tests and came back firing—a 36-yard touchdown bomb to DeMario Douglas, no less—but you’ve got to wonder, how much more can this kid take?

While fans can marvel at his highlight reel plays and record-breaking performances, there’s no denying it’s time for Maye to prioritize longevity over heroics.