Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo addressed a report in the Boston Sports Journal last month that said he had rubbed some people inside the organization the wrong way.
Mayo said he found the report to be hurtful, and the timing to be somewhat suspicious. The report came out on Dec. 14, a week after the Patriots beat the Steelers. The win snapped a five-game losing streak.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft said last March that Mayo was a strong candidate to be the “heir apparent” to succeed Bill Belichick as head coach. With one game left in the season, Belichick’s future with the Patriots (4-12) remains uncertain.