Patriots address locker room turmoil

By Alexandria Evans

Players and fans of the New England Patriots are anxiously awaiting the kickoff to week five of the NFL season. The Patriots have lost three games in a row and have lost several players to injury, and now the team is facing rumors of locker room contention.

A recent episode of “Catch-22,” the Patriots weekly podcast show hosted by Evan Lazar and Alex Barth, was deleted by the Pats organization following a comment made by Lazar. “Right now, they’re teetering on a mutiny in that locker room,” Lazar said.

According to NBC Sports Boston’s Trenni Casey, the team was reportedly “not happy” with the statements made– weary of negative press about the team and locker room discourse being publicized.

Right now, New England sits at 1-3 games, just barely holding onto their third place spot in the AFC East. The performance of the team’s offense and defense has been criticized by a variety of spectators and professionals. Calls for Jacoby Brissett’s benching and the promotion of Drake Maye couldn’t be louder, with frustration brewing over among players and fans. After being in the locker room himself, Alex Lazar stated “…the defense is mad at the defense, the offense is mad at the offense.”

Even during last weeks’ 13-30 loss to the 49ers, many of the players vexation with the team’s current situation was written all over their faces. Demario Douglas acknowledged his recent on-field outburst, apologizing and calling it “horrible.” Considering Jerod Mayo has the reigns to this floundering football team, he was asked about Lazar’s comments Friday morning. Claiming he was unaware of the statements made, Mayo pivoted, stating his “focus is definitely on the Dolphins, 100%.”

If the Patriots manage to lose against the 1-3 Miami Dolphins on Sunday, more and more questions will rise regarding Mayo’s leadership and the potential for major player adjustments.