“Did he just compare himself to Belichick?” – Jerod Mayo’s pointless defense for not calling timeout before Colts’ game-winning TD doesn’t sit well with Patriots fans

Jerod Mayo chose to save the Patriots' last timeout as it would have given the team a chance to regroup on offense if they gained possession of the ball.

“Did he just compare himself to Belichick?” – Jerod Mayo’s pointless defense for not calling timeout before Colts’ game-winning TD doesn’t sit well with Patriots fans

Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo (Image Credits: L-via IMAGO, R-via Sports Illustrated)

The New England Patriots had hoped for a different outcome when they put their faith in Jerod Mayo to become the team’s next Head Coach. However, not much has changed since last season. The team is 3-10 through 13 weeks and is likely to end up with the same 4-13 record as the previous season.

The team came close to winning its 4th game of the season against the Indianapolis Colts. However, a failed field goal attempt wound up costing them the game by one point. In his postgame press conference, Jerod Mayo was asked about his controversial decision to keep the clock running in the final seconds of the game.

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New England had a timeout left, and by taking it, the team would have given its defense a chance to recover and regroup to put their best foot forward.

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However, they decided otherwise, and Anthony Richardson wound up scoring a touchdown. Jerod Mayo’s reasoning for preserving a timeout at this stage of the game left fans confused.

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Jerod Mayo took inspiration from Super Bowl XLIX while choosing to keep the clock running

A reporter asked him if he considered taking a timeout before the final drive. Jerod Mayo said he considered it, but instead, chose to rely on an approach that had led this team to a Super Bowl win. He referenced the Patriots’ 28-24 win against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX.

Absolutely, there was a thought. We have also won a Super Bowl here doing it the other way. Keeping our timeouts is what I thought was best for the team.

Jerod Mayo said

In that game, the Patriots had a timeout, but Bill Belichick chose to keep the clock running rather than make use of the timeout. The former HC took a huge gamble by letting the clock run but it paid off in the end as Malcolm Butler intercepted Russell Wilson‘s final pass to seal the deal for New England.

Jerod Mayo
Jerod Mayo (via Imago)

It was bizarre to see that Jerod Mayo was referencing the team’s approach in the past and applying it in this scenario. Firstly, this was not a Super Bowl game, and this defense is not on the same level as the 2014-15 Patriots.

That year, Mayo was part of the Patriots, except he was not on the coaching staff, but was still playing for the team. He did not get the chance to play in the Super Bowl as he was out for the year with a torn patellar tendon.

Jerod Mayo’s comments comparing the decision-making process of Sunday’s loss to the Colts to that of the game against the Seahawks did not sit well with fans. Here’s how they reacted to his statement on X.

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His comments resulted in the team’s loyal fans calling him out as well. After all the backlash, Jerod Mayo realized his blunder and issued an apology for his comments. On The Greg Hill Show, the HC clarified that he should have been more mindful of his words.

I shouldn’t have done that. When I said it, I was frustrated first of all, which I should have taken a deep breath. I should not have said that.

Jerod Mayo explained

It has been a rough season for him on the field and in front of the media. Mayo is still learning from his mistakes.

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