Jerod Mayo Calls Out Patriots Playmaker Right After Week 7 Loss

Patriots rookie WR Ja'Lynn Polk's NFL career is off to a disastrous start, made worse by head coach Jerod Mayo's disappointed comments immediately after New England's 32-16 Week 7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

With an opportunity to shine as a valued second-round draft pick, Polk has been a mess. He's caught only 10 of 23 passes for 78 yards and one score on the season despite being a starter. Patriots QBs have only a 66.9 passer rating when targeting him.

Based on Mayo's comments, it sounds like the organization is fed up with the former Washington Huskies star.

Jerod Mayo Calls Out Rookie Ja'Lynn Polk

"We need more from Polk. We need more concentration," Mayo said. "He'll be a good player in this league."

You can say that first part again. Polk failed to corral two passes that hit him right in the hands then slipped on a critical two-point conversion attempt that could've made it a one-score game in the 4th quarter. He had three drops entering the contest, though this effort may have been his worst yet.

Considering Polk's comments that he had "the best hands in the league" prior to this game, it's hard to imagine a worse performance. It's also an impossible situation for rookie QB Drake Maye, who has been excellent by any measure.

New England has done a terrible job surrounding Maye with a reasonable supporting cast and the 1-6 record indicates exactly that. Every level of the franchise has failed. Polk is the lightning rod of criticism after the latest mess, but Maye is the only player providing fans any optimism moving forward.

The Patriots will have an excellent draft pick in 2025, likely in the top three selections. Maye needs weapons and based on Mayo's comments, Polk will be an afterthought moving forward if he can't turn things around quickly.

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