Patriots Captain Claps Back At Criticism Of Jerod Mayo, Coaching Staff

The Patriots put up an early fight against the Bills in Week 16.

However, three second-half turnovers doomed their upset bid, and New England lost a close 24-21 game at Highmark Stadium on Sunday.

With the Patriots nearly defeating the AFC East champion Bills, Hunter Henry fired back at the criticism of head coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt following the game.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute with them,” Henry told reporters in Orchard Park. “I feel like they’ve both been very consistent in who they are. No matter the ups, no matter the downs. I feel like they’ve been very consistent throughout the whole year. That would be the word I would use for them.”

Henry added: “I love playing for Jerod, and I love playing for AVP. Those two guys, I love going to battle with.”

Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye was a bit more bold in his support of Mayo and Van Pelt.

“I think it’s a bunch of conversations about our coaching staff and stuff like that,” Maye said. “… I think it’s some BS, to be quite honest.”

Patriots running back Antonio Gibson echoed both Henry and Maye in his own press conference.

“Man, I’m rocking with my coach,” Gibson said. “Regardless of what’s going on, how certain people feel, I won’t be the one to dog anybody. Like I said we all got our problems — I had a fumble today. I didn’t start out the season how I wanted to so, I won’t throw nobody under the bus. So, I’m rocking with them.”

The Patriots will have a shot to exact revenge on the Bills when the two teams clash to end the 2024 regular season at Gillette Stadium in Week 18.