Patriots Football Daily: Mayo’s Rookie Mistake; Meet Joshua Uche

Jerod Mayo got a bit carried away during his debut radio interview after being named New England Patriots head coach in January. Mayo touched on several topics during the interview, but one quote stuck out. He was asked about getting assurances from owner Robert Kraft about the team having the freedom to spend money. Mayo did not hesitate.

“We bringing in talent 1,000% Have a lot of cap space and cash. Ready to burn some cash!”

After New England failed to make any big signings from outside of their organization in free agency, Mayo walked back those comments on Monday. “That was a rookie mistake by me,” Mayo said while reappearing on WEEI.

“We have to be smart,” Mayo later added. “Once again, the burning of cash was a mistake. In saying that, we do have cash and we’ll spend it on guys that we think will make this team better.”

New England’s biggest moves this offseason, excluding the NFL Draft, were re-signing several of their own players. This included Mike Onwenu, Kyle Dugger, and Hunter Henry, among others. They signed Christian Barmore to a contract extension as well.

Joshua Uche

The New England Patriots made two players available to the media yesterday, running back Rhamondre Stevenson and linebacker Joshua Uche. Some may notice the difference in Uche’s first name. He went by Josh previously, but will now be using his given name of Joshua. The reasoning was simple.

“It’s the name my father gave me,” Uche said. “It’s a name I’m very proud of. I’m trying to make my dad proud.”

Joshua Uche also spoke about his decision to return to New England in free agency.

“There were some options on the table,” Uche confirmed. But, in my heart, I felt like I was destined to be a Patriot. Despite what I was offered, I felt like this was my calling. This is where I want to be. I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

Also in today’s Patriots Daily:

New England Patriots News

New England Patriots have 26 players headed to 2025 free agency

Bill Belichick to roast Tom Brady?

Patriots sign Christian Barmore to massive contract extension

New England Patriots sign 10 undrafted free agents

NFL News

CBS Sports – Post-draft NFL Power Rankings (Patriots are No. 30)

ESPN – Stories of Bears’ Caleb Williams, told by those who know him

NBC Sports – Bill Romanowski files for bankruptcy; owes $15.5 million in back taxes

NFL.com – Bills GM: Josh Allen ‘pumped we drafted Keon Coleman’

Pro Football Network – Top 100 NFL Draft prospects for 2025

Yardbarker – Insiders expand on 49ers plans for Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk

Boston Bruins

Go to our sibling site Boston Hockey Now to check out the great Boston Bruins coverage from Jimmy Murphy and the BHN team. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are underway and plenty is happening in the Bruins 100 Anniversary season.

Boston Hockey Now – Report: Draisaitl is interested in playing for the Bruins

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Football Fun Fact of the Day

Joshua Uche has 18.5 career sacks. That ranks him tied for No. 16 among Michigan Wolverines in the NFL. The leader is Trevor Pryce (91.0) who finished his career at Clemson. The leader among players who played their entire college career at Michigan is Brandon Graham, who has 73.0 and counting, all with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Post of the Day

Today’s post is from the NFL with a Joshua Uche highlight, sacking Josh Allen and giving the New England Patriots the ball back with the forced fumble (Matthew Judon is still not down):

🚨 FORCED FUMBLE! 🚨 The @Patriots are back on offense!#BUFvsNE on Prime Video
Also available on NFL+ https://t.co/bTTcEL41DH pic.twitter.com/sgWrAfBb1q

— NFL (@NFL) December 2, 2022