Tom Brady and Bill Belichick crossed paths once again! It’s been over four years since the former New England Patriots duo parted ways. Now, with Jerod Mayo as head coach and Drake Maye as quarterback, the team is in rebuilding mode. However, after continuous losses since Week 2, the head coach seems frustrated with his team. And that’s why, after their sixth defeat 32-16 loss to the Jaguars, Mayo called his team “soft.”

But this title didn’t sit well with the former head coach Bill Belichick, who defended the Pats recently on the Pat McAfee Show. And to support the 72-year-old, his ex-quarterback, Tom Brady joined in to defend the Foxborough team at the Let’s Go weekly podcast on Monday. He explained that “soft” isn’t just a trait, it’s something that can be backed by statistics.

Tom Brady recalled his learning from Belichick during his time with the Patriots. He expressed, “I think the thing I always learned from coach Belichick was there’s actually statistics that support that….Toughness was about stopping the run running the football and covering kicks. And if we did all three of those things on the teams that I was a part of, we considered ourselves a physical football team.” However, TB12 also acknowledged that there were seasons where they struggled with the run game. But overall, they were called a full-fledged physical team.

In addition to that, when it came to Jerod Mayo seeming throwing players under the bus, Tom Brady spoke about his approach to leadership. And with his statements, it was clear that Brady isn’t happy with how Mayo is taking up the things. Therefore the legendary QB gave him a suggestion. He emphasized that the best way to lead was through communication and building strong relationships with teammates.

And what will be the result of it? Well, Brady answered it too. Recalling his way of handling things, Brady acknowledged that. In that way, when he gave critical feedback, it was taken as an effort to help the team. And not just as criticism. Moreover, he made it clear that he preferred addressing issues privately, directly with the players, rather than airing them out in public. Hence, as per him, this way was a more effective way to improve the team. Similarly, Bill Belichick, too, thinks it’s not the correct way how Jerod Mayo handled his frustrations and the team’s losses.

What was Bill Belichick’s statement on Jerod Mayo’s remarks?

Although Bill Belichick and Tom Brady didn’t agree on lacrosse’s preferences. They had similar thoughts on football opinions as well as handling a team. Hence, besides Brady’s opinions on Jerod Mayo’s comments, Belichick too, admitted that “he’s kind of hurt” for the team’s members this year. While showing his disagreement with Mayo’s remarks, the 72YO said, “To call them soft … They’re not soft, they were the best team in the league last year against the run. And those guys that are out there, went out there and did it. Even though we couldn’t score many points offensively.” But he didn’t stop there!

In addition to that, Belichick also showed his sympathy for the players. Especially empathizing with the defensive linemen, he said, “So, I don’t know, I feel bad for the defensive players on that one because those guys … that’s a tough group.” Furthermore, he assured Mayo that most of the players played with him last year. Hence, “they’ll strap it up and go.”

Nevertheless, indeed, the Patriots aren’t great this year too. They currently rank last in total offense and 25th in defense. So, it’s obvious for anyone to be fumed about the performance. But positively handling the team is all that Tom Brady and Bill Belichick want from the new HC, Jerod Mayo.