Patriots’ Pivotal Change Made For Another Jerod Mayo Inconsistency

FOXBORO, Mass. — Jerod Mayo made two announcements regarding the New England Patriots’ starting quarterback over the last six weeks. The season-opening reveal when veteran Jacoby Brissett was named the starter played out a bit differently than the elevation of rookie Drake Maye.

The Patriots first-year head coach didn’t seem too happy about the latter.

“A little bit,” Mayo said at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday when asked if he was disappointed in how the news was leaked.

Reports from the top NFL insiders and beat reporters surfaced Tuesday afternoon. Patriots players were off Tuesday and Mayo told players Wednesday.

“Any type of decision that’s a big decision, you want to let the team know first,” Mayo said. “But in saying that, look, these guys, they read everything. It’s fine.”

Mayo initially indicated he spoke with Maye and Brissett on Tuesday night, which would have meant they, too, found out via ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. That would not have been a great look. However, the Patriots clarified Mayo’s press conference comments and said Mayo told the two quarterbacks Monday night.

Some talk radio hosts and other tinfoil hat enthusiasts might question the team’s clarification. Was it just a verbal flub? Is that really how it played out? Regardless, the unveil made for another inconsistency.

Mayo opted not to reveal Brissett as the Week 1 starter because, at the time, he wanted to first inform players during a team meeting. Mayo and company added a press conference the next morning (he wasn’t scheduled to speak) and, following the team meeting, formally announced Brissett as the starter during a 90-second presser.

He didn’t have the opportunity to do it the same way the second time around.

Patriots running back Antonio Gibson on Wednesday said he didn’t care that he found out the news on social media.

Mayo seemingly did not feel the same way, perhaps because of how it reflects on him given the leak originated somewhere. At the very least, it was another inconsistency after an early-season stretch where there were a handful of them.