New England Patriots star Jahlani Tavai attacks his own fans in astonishing outburst

New England Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai has launched a blistering attack on the team’s fan base as their dreadful season creeps 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 to the Buffalo Bills this weekend, they will have the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft later this year.

Appearing on The Gregg Hill Show Friday morning, Tavai defended under-fire head coach Jerod Mayo and instead blamed the fans for criticizing the players.

“I definitely told a fan to shut up in a non-polite way,” Tavai said of the Chargers game.

‘There’s a reason they’re fans. Everyone can say what they think we should do. Ultimately, they are not qualified to do what Mayo does.

‘They’re fans. I appreciate them sometimes, but sometimes they’ve just learned their place. Rome wasn’t built in a day.’

His comments come after fans were outraged by last week’s 40-7 loss to the Chargers

The Patriots are up 3-13 heading into 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 unfortunate enough before Mayo’s announcement Thursday that quarterback Drake Maye would start the game against the Bills knowing the top pick is on the line.

“I have never been part of a team, as a player or as a coach, that went 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 the turn of events in his first season since Bill Belichick’s departure, which means a win against the Bills – who aren’t expected to play too long on quarterback Josh Allen on Sunday – apparently seems more important.

The 28-year-old Tavai, who was drafted by the Detroit Lions before signing with the Patriots later in 2021, used his old 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?” he said. ‘I try not to compare the last two years, but that is a goal that we are trying to develop here, in this new regime.

“That’s the mission: to figure out how the Lions improve. That’s the type of team we see ourselves as: a playoff contender. Unfortunately that is not the case this year.’