Former Star Sends Stern Warning to Patriots Players

A former New England Patriots sent a stern warning to the players on the team.
Aug 15, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe (4) watches the game from the sideline  during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Aug 15, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe (4) watches the game from the sideline during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images / Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
In this story:

The New England Patriots ended up being very inactive ahead of the NFL trade deadline. It was a major surprise, but the only move the team made sent linebacker Josh Uche out of town.

Looking ahead at the future, the Patriots have to figure out a way to begin developing and showing signs of improvement. They also need to figure out how to gel together as a team

All season long, there have been reports of drama and miscommunication. Under first-year head coach Jerod Mayo, there has been a major disconnect within different areas of the team.

Now, one former New England star has spoken out with a stern warning for the players on the team.

Jason McCourty did not hold back from telling the players to stop talking to the media. He thinks that they need to focus on getting on the same page with Mayo and keeping all issues in-house.

“I would urge players, if you like your head coach, and you like the direction your team is going, shut the hell up in the media,” McCourty said. “Go out there on a Sunday and make plays and ball, and leave all the rest of the stuff to be determined by the front office, coaches and all of that to handle it."

That is very good advice for a young football team.

It's easy for young players to say things that cause drama. They can also say things not meant to start drama that the media can take and run with.

For a young team to develop and get to the point of competing again, things have to run smoothly. All of the focus has to be on the player development and figuring out how to get all pieces of the roster working together at an elite level.

Mayo has his work cut out for him. He has made some mistakes when speaking to the media as well. However, those issues have to start being fixed and the team has to come together.

Hopefully, throughout the remainder of the 2024 NFL season, the Patriots will begin showing signs of that development and cohesion.

Make sure you bookmark New England Patriots on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!


Published