When Jerod Mayo said his New England Patriots were “a soft football team across the board” following the organization’s sixth consecutive loss, the coach took many by surprise – including his former boss.

In an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday, former Patriots coach Bill Belichick – who not only led the team from 2000 through last season’s 4-13 finish but also was the architect of the roster – expressed disappointment in Mayo’s ridiculing of his team’s toughness after a 32-16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.

“It’s a lot of the same players (from last year),” Belichick said. “I’m kinda hurt for those guys, because to call them soft, they’re not soft.”

Mayo’s initial comment centered on his team’s performance in the ground game, both offensively and defensively. The Patriots ran for just 38 yards Sunday against the Jaguars while giving up 171 yards on the ground.

Belichick was quick to point out that last year’s New England team ranked first in yards allowed per carry (3.3). While the Patriots returned the core of their defense, the unit is without standout defensive tackle Christian Barmore – who has yet to play this season and remains out indefinitely due to blood clots – as well as linebacker and team captain Ja’Whaun Bentley – who is out for the year after suffering a torn pectoral in a Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.