Patriots rookie Javon Baker has found himself in Jerod Mayo’s doghouse after broadcasting a rant on social media over the weekend.
The 22-year-old receiver posted an Instagram Live video on Sunday in which he criticized law enforcement for issuing him a traffic ticket.
In Baker’s video, he claimed he was dropping someone off at the airport when he was approached by a police officer and given a ticket for “no reason.” Baker said both he and the police officer yelled at one another, with the officer threatening to tow Baker’s car.
“You towing it ain’t gonna do nothing to me,” Baker said in the video. “Come on, bro. You got other [expletive] to worry about. … You ain’t gonna start yelling at me and thinking I’m not fitting to yell back. Who does you think you is? Just because you a police officer, that don’t mean nothing, bro. With my tax dollars, I pay you. Come on, bro, you work for me.”
Mayo was asked about Baker’s video on Monday. New England’s head coach called out the rookie and said he has been disciplined by the team.
“Everything that you just stated in no way represents what the organization is about, in no way represents what we are about as a team, or how Javon needs to go out there and represent himself,” Mayo said. “We’ve handled it internally. We had a great conversation. I think it’s a combination of immaturity and realizing the grand scheme, that we’re on a big stage here and you can’t do those things.
“As far as our relationship with law enforcement, I think it’s outstanding. We’ll continue to strengthen that relationship going forward.”
When pressed further about what Baker’s punishment will entail, Mayo acknowledged that the rookie is not expected to miss any games as a direct result of the video.
“Not for this,” Mayo said. “There is a penalty, but not to the level of missing a game. We didn’t see it that way.”
A fourth-round pick by the Patriots in the 2024 NFL Draft, Baker earned a spot on New England’s 53-man roster but has been inconsistent in his first NFL training camp and preseason.
Viewed as a potential deep-threat receiver capable of reeling in 50-50 balls down the sideline, Baker has been knocked at times over the last month for costly drops. In three preseason games, Baker finished with a team-high 15 targets, but finished with just five catches for 56 yards.
