The Patriots’ owners appeared to be critical of Van Pelt’s play calling last Sunday.
In the second quarter of the New England Patriots’ loss to the Arizona Cardinals, CBS cameras cut up to Robert and Jonathan Kraft.
The duo was visibly frustrated after a five-yard loss on the ground, with lip readers determining the Patriots owner mentioning offensive play-calling — which Jonathan appeared to call “terrible.”
Someone lip read this. Sure looks like Jonathan Kraft is frustrated by what’s happening down on the field. Shaking his head. Also, it appears he’s scrolling down some notes? pic.twitter.com/V0a9ZTsMNt
— John Zannis (@John_Zannis) December 15, 2024
Speaking for the first time since Sunday, offensive coordinator and play caller Alex Van Pelt, who was made aware of the clips Monday afternoon, addressed the situation when asked about the play calling later in the game when the Patriots failed on a third- and fourth-and-one
“I know Jonathan was upset and that came out,” Van Pelt said Thursday. “There’s nobody more pissed off than I was, I can promise you that. No good play call — or no bad play call works. Like, if that play works and we block it up we had it up, we had the right numbers for the right people, and it didn’t work. Obviously, in hindsight, it’s easy to look back and say I wish I’d done something differently. That’s always part of a play callers’ deal after a game.
“Would I call that play again, in that situation? Probably. We need a half a yard. We called a similar play in the goal line in the Jets game to win it. That’s an attitude play, that’s a move guys off the ball, two lead blockers for a good running back. So unfortunately, it didn’t work out and that was a big swing in that game. We had a chance there to go down, get back within six points. Thought we moved the ball up and down the field for the most part of the day. It was a strange game in that regard, but it’s tough. If it works, it’s a non issue. When it doesn’t work, then you always kind of second-guess yourself on that call. But again, schematically, we had the right call on. We just didn’t get the job done.”
As head coach Jerod Mayo shared he has multiple conversations with ownership on a daily basis, Van Pelt said he did not meet with the Kraft’s about the CBS clip.
“Throughout the course of walking through the hallways, nothing that’s scheduled each week,” Van Pelt responded when asked if he talks with the Krafts. “If they have a question, I’m always open to answer the questions.”
Van Pelt, who said he understands and agrees where the Krafts frustrations are coming from, later added: “My door is always open. Obviously, the Krafts, I answer to those guys. So if they ever want to come down and talk, my doors open. I’ve had great conversations with Robert over the course of the season, Mr. Kraft, and it’s been positive. Always willing and always available.”
The CBS clip was not the only public criticism of Van Pelt that appeared to come out of Sunday’s loss, as Mayo’s post game comments answering, “You said it. I didn’t,” when asked about not running quarterback Drake Maye in those short yardage situations also appeared to be a shot at his offensive coordinator.
Mayo made sure to clear the air with his coordinator the following morning.
“I didn’t see it. I had no idea,” Van Pelt said of Mayo’s comment. “Then I was watching tape in there early in the morning and he came in and said what he had said. I have Jerod’s back at all costs. We have a great relationship. We’re very communicative. I took no offense to that whatsoever. I think it was taken out of context, as he said. And we have a great relationship.”