It’s just utter nonsense. Jota’s death was tragic, and will undoubtedly have hit his team mates hard, but the media continually using it as an excuse for any problems the club face is an insult to his legacy.
It’s not just the BBC though, sky and every football podcast have to mention it every week almost like a disclaimer. Guardian football weekly are particularly hand-wringy about it every week.
I think it’s because they’re all terrified of being called callous for overlooking it.