NFL Rumors: Patriots Locker Room Nearing ‘Mutiny’ amid 3-Game Losing Streak

Adam WellsOctober 4, 2024

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Just four games into his tenure as New England Patriots head coach, Jerod Mayo is apparently already dealing with a crisis behind the scenes.

On the latest episode of the Patriots Catch-22 podcast, Evan Lazar of the team’s official website said the Patriots are “teetering on a mutiny” in the locker room due to frustration with their performance amid their three-game losing streak.

Babz @BabzOnTheMic”Right now they’re teetering on a mutiny in that locker room” – @ezlazar on Catch 22, the IN-HOUSE PODCAST PRODUCED BY THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS!!!!

Evan did not hold back during this 1 minute rant 🤯 pic.twitter.com/pXIsvyeTD1

Lazar explained that the “defense is mad at the defense, the offense is mad at the offense” coming out of Sunday’s 30-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Wide receiver DeMario Douglas told Karen Guregian of MassLive.com before Wednesday’s practice that he regretted a moment during the game against the 49ers when he was visibly frustrated on the field for not getting the ball after getting open.

“I don’t know what got into me. That’s not me,” Douglas said. “I felt bad as soon as I watched it. That was poor by me, how I was on the field. But my team got my back, and I definitely got theirs. It’s just my love of the game. And I love winning.”

The primary issue, based on what Lazar said, stems from the issues at quarterback with Jacoby Brissett struggling while Drake Maye remains on the bench.

“You have young receivers who are throwing tantrums,” Lazar said. “… At what point in time do some of these guys say to themselves ‘why am I out there getting my butt kicked and Drake can’t? Why am I going out there with a quarterback that can’t get me the football when we have a Ferrari back in the garage?'”

The Patriots offense wasn’t expected to be particularly good coming into the season, but things might be worse than anticipated through four games. They rank 31st in points per game (13.0), last in yards per game (238.8) and last in pass yards per game (112.3).

Brissett has been sacked 15 times and has thrown just two touchdown passes in four games. Maye’s only appearance so far was during garbage time in Week 3 of the Patriots’ 24-3 loss to the New York Jets.

There is still no definitive timetable for Maye to take over as the starter. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported before Week 4 that the rookie quarterback is still “a ways away from being on the field” and he is still receiving about 30 percent of the first-team practice reps.

The Patriots don’t have a bye until Week 14, but if things continue to go in the direction they have been, it would seem unlikely they wait that long to make a change.

There is a three-game stretch starting in Week 11 when the opposing defenses New England goes up against are the Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts. Those might be more favorable matchups to let a rookie quarterback get his feet wet.

In the meantime, New England is preparing to host the Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on Sunday looking to end its three-game losing streak.