Why Jerod Mayo Didn’t Work as Patriots’ Head Coach

Published: Monday, January 6, 2025

by Jack Pine

Following another disastrous four-win season, owner Robert Kraft has decided to move on from Bill Belichick’s successor, Jerod Mayo. Mayo’s first and only season as Patriots’ head coach was marred by inconsistencies in the press, frustrations with the fanbase, and embarrassments on the field.

Mayo, a former Patriots’ first-round pick in 2008, joined Belichick’s staff in 2019 after retiring in 2016. His promotion, announced just a day after Belichick’s departure, was a long-planned move that still caught many by surprise.

It was soon revealed that Kraft had long planned to appoint Mayo as head coach, even working the decision into his contract. A sentimental man, Kraft regretted not naming Belichick head coach after Bill Parcells left in 1997 and seemingly wanted to avoid repeating that mistake with Mayo.

Mayo’s rocky relationship with the media began early. In February, he declared the Patriots were “ready to burn some cash” in free agency—a quote he later walked back as “a rookie mistake.” Despite having over $47 million in cap space by the end of free agency, New England missed out on key players and signed flops like KJ Osborn and Chukwuma Okorafor, neither of whom remain with the team.

After drafting quarterback Drake Maye in April, Mayo announced an open competition with Jacoby Brissett for the starting job. He later said Maye had “outplayed Jacoby,” fueling speculation that Maye would start Week 1. Mayo soon clarified, walked back, and ultimately named Brissett the starter against Cincinnati.

Mayo and the Patriots won the opener against the Bengals, but things quickly spiraled. Six straight losses followed, capped by a defeat in London to the Jaguars. Mayo called the team “soft,” later clarifying it was about their recent play, not the team as a whole.

“Walkback Monday” became a staple in Boston media as Mayo’s clarifications piled up, with his Monday media appearances often fueling confusion. Internal tension seemed to grow as a culture-building season unraveled amid ugly losses.

Under Mayo, New England regressed in every phase. The defense's dropoff was especially concerning, finishing 22nd in total defense after ranking 7th in 2023. The former Pro Bowl linebacker’s defense struggled to generate a pass rush and couldn't get off the field on third down.

Mayo's frustration grew as the season unraveled. After a 19-point loss to Miami on Nov. 24 that dropped the team to 3-9, he vented, saying, “Once those guys cross the white lines, there’s nothing I can do for them.”

Mayo’s inability to establish accountability became clear as the season wore on. The inconsistent play was met with muddled explanations and public contradictions, likely eroding trust in the locker room and fueling an uncontrollable media firestorm.

A few weeks later, Mayo was asked about Maye running the ball after his October concussion against the Jets. Mayo said, “[Maye] is out of concussion protocol. He can sneak.” The next day, Alex Van Pelt contradicted him, emphasizing the need to keep Maye healthy for the final games.

Before Week 17 against the Chargers, Mayo declared Antonio Gibson would start over Rhamondre Stevenson due to fumbling issues. Stevenson started anyway, but Gibson eventually took over with 12 carries. Mayo called it a “coaching decision” postgame, as fans chanted “FIRE MAYO” during the 40-7 blowout.

With one game remaining, the Patriots were at the bottom of the league, set to secure the top pick in the NFL Draft. 

After another embarrassment, veterans Dietrich Wise and Jahlani Tavai were slammed in the media. Wise called fans “spoiled” after the 33-point loss, while Tavai told them to “know their place,” later doubling down on his comments. 

In the minds of many fans, Mayo’s fate was already sealed, and they were ready to move on. It’s likely that Mayo heard the noise from the fans and media throughout the final week of the 2024 regular season and determined he was either coaching for his job or was already doomed. 

Kraft, the man who vowed to give Mayo the keys to the franchise years prior, had not given him any public support as the season unfolded. Fans were clamoring for Mayo’s removal and a loss to lock up the first pick. 

With this in mind, and knowing that the Buffalo Bills were planning to sit their starters in the final game, it's plausible to assume that Mayo decided to pull out all the stops and try to stick it to the fans and ownership one last time. 

In a nearly empty Gillette Stadium, the Patriots finally showed up in a game their fans desperately wanted them to lose. New England defeated Buffalo and lost out on the first pick in the draft.

Following the win, Kraft pulled the trigger and fired Mayo. After naming an heir to Belichick’s throne years before his departure, Kraft parted ways with his heir after just one season. The fanbase could finally turn the page on an embarrassing chapter in Patriots’ history. 

Is it fair to say that Mayo was in over his head and was put in a bad position? Yes. Is it fair to say that he was given a raw deal with the state of the Patriots’ roster? Yes.

Does it excuse the fact that he had no control over the team and didn’t accomplish his goal of establishing a culture? Absolutely not.

Jerod Mayo was an incredible player and leader for the Patriots during his playing career. As a coach, he never proved that he deserved a second season at the helm.

Despite another humiliating season, the future still looks bright in New England. With over $100 million in projected cap space, a high draft pick, and a promising young quarterback, Kraft shouldn’t have much trouble attracting a new coach to revive the franchise. 

The only question is: Will he get it right this time?

Jack Pine is an Assistant Sports Director/Sports Web Editor at WSOU 89.5 FM and can be reached at john.pine@student.shu.edu. 

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