The New England Patriots experienced a gut-wrenching defeat against the Los Angeles Chargers, falling to a staggering 40-7 at Gillette Stadium. The loss marked not only the team's 13th defeat of the season, plunging them to an abysmal 3-13 record, but also sparked frustration among the fans. For the first time this season, chants of “Fire Mayo” echoed through the stadium as the clock wound down, signaling dissatisfaction with first-year head coach Jerod Mayo.

This outcry from the fans intensified as the game progressed, expressing sentiments that resonated across social media and raised questions about Mayo’s future as head coach. Despite the overwhelming disappointment, several players have come to support their coach in the aftermath of this crushing defeat.

Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux spoke candidly about the situation, empathizing with the fans' frustrations but also highlighting the challenges that come with rebuilding a team. "A lot of fans are, I get it, they’re pissed off. They pay their money to see the Patriots," he stated. "But the ‘Fire Mayo’ chant is just ridiculous. It’s his first season, and nobody expected it to be perfect."

Rookie quarterback Drake Maye echoed Godchaux’s sentiments, affirming the commitment from the coaching staff. "They’re still bringing it every week. They’re not quitting on us," Maye noted. Their resilience and dedication to the team's development remain unwavering during this transitional period.

Jerod Mayo, who took over as head coach after the departure of longtime leader Bill Belichick, acknowledged the fans' discontent but invoked a need for improvement. "You hear those things, but at the same time, they paid to sit in the seats," Mayo said. "We’ve got to play better. If we play better, we don’t have to hear that stuff."

As the team goes through what many are calling a rebuild, patience appears to be the operative word. Veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne emphasized that the current struggles are just part of a broader process that requires time and work. "We have a job to do as players and the staff have a job to do," he explained. "Just give us some patience and we’ll keep working."

Running back Rhamondre Stevenson also weighed in, insisting that the responsibility shouldn't fall solely on the coaching staff. "As a team, we need to show we’re behind everybody on our coaching staff and go out there and finish," he said.

This challenging season for the Patriots has been marked by significant adjustments and expectations, creating a scenario where both players and coaches are feeling the heat. The question now is whether they can rally together to showcase improvement before the season concludes.