Former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he’s “kind of hurt” for members of this year’s team during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.
“To call them soft… They’re not soft, they were the best team in the league last year against the run. And those guys that are out there, went out there and did it even though we couldn’t score many points offensively.
“So, I don’t know, I feel bad for the defensive players on that one because those guys… that’s a tough group.”
Belichick made the comments when discussing the New England’s sixth straight defeat, a 32-16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
After the game head coach Jerod Mayo called his team “soft.”
“We’re a soft football team across the board,” he said.
Belichick pointed out on Monday that many members of this year’s squad played for him last year and said that “they’ll strap it up and go.”
This year’s team ranks 32nd in the NFL in total offense and 25th in total defense. They’re allowing 4.6 yards per carry through three games after giving up just 3.3 in 2023.
New England is 1-6 this season after opening the season with a win against the Bengals.
The Patriots host the Jets on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
(Photo: Alex Grimm / Getty Images)
