Why Patriots benched kickoff returner Javon Baker against Rams, explained by Jerod Mayo

After joining the New England Patriots in the fourth round of this year’s draft, Javon Baker made his intentions quite clear. In his first media availability, he told fans to “bring your popcorn” because he would “make people in wheelchairs stand up.”

In the early portions of his first NFL season, people mostly remained seated. Whether as a wide receiver or kickoff returner, Baker was mostly a non-factor for the Patriots.

That all seemed to change against the Los Angeles Rams. Fielding the opening kickoff in the New England end zone, the rookie proceeded to gain 46 yards to give his team some solid field position for its opening drive.

However, Baker was unable to build on his momentum. Quite the opposite, actually: he only ran back one more kickoff before being benched for the remainder of the game.

What had happened? Before his benching, Baker muffed his second opportunity at a return, still picked up the ball and returned it 16 yards to the New England 20 before a rather nonchalant and ultimately unsuccessful attempt at hurdling a Rams coverage player. That play probably belongs in the “one he would like to have back” category, but it was not the sole reason for the benching.

As head coach Jerod Mayo explained on Monday, the issue was more complex than that.

“On the kick returns, he was back there the first couple of snaps, and he didn’t execute the way that we all had hoped he would,” Mayo said. “I know it was a big return. Even on that big return, it was one of those situations where, ‘Is he coming out, is he not coming out?’ and same thing with the second kickoff return.”

Baker’s initial hesitation and laissez-faire approach on both runbacks clearly is something the Patriots do not want to see. As a consequence, they pulled him in favor of veteran JaMycal Hasty (who did not attempt a single return when aligned deep).

How quickly Baker will return to the lineup remains to be seen. Fact is, the youngster brings considerable big play potential to the Patriots’ kicking game operation and their offense alike; he was an electrifying playmaker during his college career at UCF and his statements after getting drafted did not come entirely out of left field.

Still, he has not been able to showcase his talents so far. Baker has yet to see a target in 19 offensive snaps this season, and on his three kick returns gained 17, 46 and 16 yards for a 26.3-yard average.

What the future has in store for him is uncertain. Nonetheless, as of last week, his head coach saw a bright future ahead of him.

“He’s going to continue to get better,” Mayo said. “He’