Bill Belichick pushes back on Jerod Mayo's criticism of Patriots: 'They're not soft'

When Jerod Mayo said his New England Patriots were "a soft football team across the board" following the organization's sixth consecutive loss, the coach took many by surprise – including his former boss.

In an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Monday, former Patriots coach Bill Belichick – who not only led the team from 2000 through last season's 4-13 finish but also was the architect of the roster – expressed disappointment in Mayo's ridiculing of his team's toughness after a 32-16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.

"It's a lot of the same players (from last year)," Belichick said. "I'm kinda hurt for those guys, because to call them soft, they're not soft."

Mayo's initial comment centered on his team's performance in the ground game, both offensively and defensively. The Patriots ran for just 38 yards Sunday against the Jaguars while giving up 171 yards on the ground.

Belichick was quick to point out that last year's New England team ranked first in yards allowed per carry (3.3). While the Patriots returned the core of their defense, the unit is without standout defensive tackle Christian Barmore – who has yet to play this season and remains out indefinitely due to blood clots – as well as linebacker and team captain Ja'Whaun Bentley – who is out for the year after suffering a torn pectoral in a Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

"Those guys went out there and did it even though we couldn't score many points offensively," Belichick said. "I don't know, I feel bad for the defensive players on that one, because those guys, that's a tough group."

Mayo, who served as linebackers coach on Belichick's staff starting in 2019 before eventually becoming the coach's successor, on Monday attempted to shift the emphasis of his remarks from the players to their play.

"I felt like we just went out there and played soft. We're playing soft at the moment," Mayo said. "Now, in saying that, do I think we have the guys in there that can turn this ship around? One-hundred percent. But that comes through hard work and getting better each and every day."

The Patriots next face the New York Jets at home on Sunday.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bill Belichick hits back on Jerod Mayo calling Patriots players 'soft'