New England Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai has launched a vicious attack on the team's fan base as their terrible season heads toward a miserable end this weekend.
The Patriots lost 40-7 at home to the Los Angeles Chargers in their last game and if they lose again this weekend to the Buffalo Bills, they will have the first pick in the NFL Draft later this year.
Tavai appeared on The Gregg Hill Show on Friday morning, defending head coach Jerod Mayo and instead blaming fans for criticizing players.
“I definitely told a fan to shut up in a rude way,” Tavai said of the Chargers game.
'There's a reason they're fans. Everyone can say what they think we should do. In the end, they are not qualified to do what Mayo does.
'They are fans. Sometimes I appreciate them, but other times they've just gotten to know their place. Rome was not built in a day.
Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai on fans:
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By: @TheGregHillShow
“I was frustrated, I definitely told a fan to shut up in a very impolite way… there's a reason they're bigots… they're not qualified to do what Mayo are doing… they're bigots, they I appreciate sometimes… pic.twitter.com/iA5ub2SELE
– Savage (@SavageSports_) January 3, 2025
Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai says New England fans 'need to know their place'
His comments come after fans were furious over a 40-7 loss to the Chargers last week.
The Patriots are 3-13 entering Sunday's game against the Bills, one of the favorites to go all the way and win the Super Bowl in New Orleans next month.
And fans were pretty unhappy before May Thursday's announcement that quarterback Drake Maye was going to start the game against the Bills, knowing that the No. 1 pick is on the line.
“I've never been part of a team, either as a player or a coach, and I've gone into a game not wanting to win,” Mayo said. “It's not going to change today, so that's my message to the team.”
Mayo's job is under scrutiny given how things have gone in his first season since Bill Belichick left, meaning a win against the Bills, who are not expected to allow quarterback Josh Allen to play much time Sunday, it seems more important.
Tavai, 28, who was drafted by the Detroit Lions before signing with the Patriots in 2021, used his former team as an example of where the Patriots want to be.
'The Lions, four years ago, when Dan Campbell took over, what was their record?' said. 'So these last two years, I'm not trying to compare, but that's a goal we're trying to develop here, in this new regime.
'That's the mission: to know how the Lions are improving. That's the type of team we see: a playoff contender. Unfortunately, that's not this year.”