Jerod Mayo calling his team “soft” publicly doesn’t sit well with Maxx Crosby

Maxx Crosby noted that he wouldn’t be okay with a grown-up man calling him soft concerning recent Jerod Mayo comments.

Jerod Mayo calling his team “soft” publicly doesn’t sit well with Maxx Crosby

Maxx Crosby, Jerod Mayo (Images via Imago)

The New England Patriots are 1-6, a statistic no one could have seen coming five years ago. The Patriots have never been the same since the departure of Tom Brady, despite Bill Belichick maintaining the coaching position till the 2023 season.

Jerod Mayo was then appointed the head coach of the New England Patriots, promoted from the inside linebackers coaching position. In his debut season, Mayo had one laugh, and gloomy days soon followed. The Patriots began the season with an upset over the Cincinnati Bengals and entered a six-game losing streak. Amid the longest losing streak in the new millennium, Mayo has entered a fresh controversy by publicly calling his team ‘soft.’

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His recent comments have not been appreciated by fans as well as players. In a segment of Let’s Go, host Jim Gray brought up how he would react to his coach calling him soft to the Las Vegas Raiders DE Maxx Crosby. Crosby, who initially had a conundrum understanding the situation, had Mayo’s comments brought to his attention.

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Crosby acknowledged that Mayo has played the game and that he can’t change how Mayo feels. However, Crosby pointed out that he wouldn’t take it lightly if a grown man called him soft, adding that those would be fighting words.

Shit. Well, shit. You know what I mean? He’s a player. So, he’s been around it. He played at the highest level. And, you know, if that’s how he feels that’s how he feels. But, you know, I can’t speak for him. But, yeah, I would not take it lightly. You know what I mean? I would have a major issue if I was a player, especially another grown man calling you soft. I mean, those are fighting words.

Maxx Crosby said

Jerod Mayo, who brought in changes by promoting Drake Maye to starter in Week 6, didn’t find any progress in results. Although fans feel optimistic, Mayo surely didn’t. The ‘soft football team’ comments came after the loss in London to an equally bad Jacksonville Jaguars.

The 38-year-old head coach later clarified on Monday that he was referring to the Patriots’ soft play against the Jaguars, rather than labeling the team itself as soft. However, his attempt to motivate the team may have done more harm than good either way. Most of the players haven’t taken Mayo’s words to heart but there isn’t a unified stand that could put out the fire.

Jerod Mayo faces criticism from JJ Watt for calling his team soft

JJ Watt didn’t hesitate to blast Jerod Mayo, disagreeing with his coach’s comments about the team. The former Arizona Cardinals player let the fans know his opinion during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.

Jerod Mayo
Jerod Mayo (Image via New York Post)

Watt commented that he disagrees with Mayo’s comments altogether. He noted that the players are laying their bodies on the line for the team, and they wouldn’t feel nice about the whole commotion.

You’re sitting there and you hear that, and you’re just like, ”F**k man. No, I’m f**king laying everything I got on the line for this team. I’m putting my body on the line, and I’m now labeled as soft.”

JJ Watt said

Watt explained that maybe one or two players could have been soft, but it is a very unnecessary generalization to badmouth the entire team so early in the season. The three-time DPOY hoped that the Patriots players took the comment in stride and made use of the drive to play better. He also warned that sometimes the comments could lead to players shutting off as well.