Patriots Players Already Turning on Jerod Mayo Following Exit

Robert Kraft announced the surprise decision to fire Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo after the Week 18 win over the Bills. New England finished the season 4-13 but cost themselves the No. 1 overall pick on Sunday.

Despite everyone within the organization and the fanbase knowing that this was a developmental season, not many were happy with the job Jerod Mayo was doing. The record aside, the Patriots didn't play inspiring football and the locker room atmosphere and team chemistry were severely lacking. There were indications that Mayo had lost the locker room and reactions from players on Monday further highlighted that.

When asked about Mayo's firing, Patriots players displayed a shocking lack of empathy for their head coach. Boston Herald's Doug Kyed reported that Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise said that the team didn't feel responsible for the firing of Mayo.

Patriots Players Aren't Too Upset About Jerod Mayo's Firing

The sentiment was echoed by star cornerback Christian Gonzalez. When asked about it, the talented defender said, "It is what it is."

This choice of words is rather surprising. Even if the team didn't particularly like playing under Mayo, there is usually a script of platitudes that most players say after a coach's departure. Even if they don't mean it, players generally say words of empathy and support for their former head coach.

The fact that Patriots players are actively choosing not to do so perhaps proves why it was the right decision to fire Mayo. Once a coach loses the trust and respect of the locker room, everything else is irrelevant. The team needs to want to play hard for their head coach and it was clear at times throughout the season that it wasn't the case in Foxborough.

Whether Mayo deserved to get fired or not is a moot point. Once your best players start turning on you, there is only one possible outcome and that is what happened in New England.