After enjoying one of the longest coaching tenures under Bill Belichick, the New England Patriots have decided to move in a different direction, firing head coach Jerod Mayo after just one season. This decision was confirmed by the team on Sunday and marks a surprising change, especially given that Mayo had been seen as a potential successor to Belichick.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft expressed that the decision was “one of the hardest” he has ever made. He explained that the team’s performance throughout the season did not improve as he had hoped.
Under Mayo’s leadership, the Patriots finished with a disappointing 4-13 record, although they did manage to win their season finale against the Buffalo Bills. Following Belichick’s departure after a similar 4-13 season, many had expected Mayo to be given more time to turn the team around. However, the Patriots have decided to part ways with him after just one year.
New England, instead of sticking with Jerod Mayo, is now once again searching for a new direction.
Mayo’s tenure started on a positive note with an unexpected 16-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in the season opener. However, the Patriots soon fell into a slump, losing their next six games and finishing the season with a seven-game losing streak. The frustration among fans was evident during the team’s 40-7 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17, when chants of “fire Mayo” echoed through Gillette Stadium.
Mayo faced criticism after referring to New England as “a soft football team across the board” following a 32-16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London during Week 7. Although he tried to retract his comment, it didn’t sit well with Belichick and others, who took issue with his negative description of the players and their performance.
Despite the growing frustration from the team’s losses, Mayo maintained in the week leading up to the season finale against the Bills that he wasn’t worried about his job security.
Mayo mentioned in a press conference, “I’m always in constant communication with ownership,” expressing confidence that he and the team’s leadership were still aligned.
Looking ahead, the Patriots are expected to have over $130 million in salary cap space for 2025, the highest amount of any NFL team, along with the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s NFL draft.