After a single season at the helm, the New England Patriots have parted ways with head coach Jerod Mayo. The team finished 4-13 under Mayo, culminating in a Week 18 victory over the Buffalo Bills that cost them the top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Owner Robert Kraft released a statement confirming the decision, describing it as a difficult one. Kraft acknowledged Mayo's long history with the organization, both as a player and a coach, and expressed his respect for Mayo's leadership. Kraft's statement emphasized the need for improvement and apologized to fans for the team's recent performance.
The Patriots have experienced a decline since their 10-7 season in 2021, finishing 8-9 in 2022 and 4-13 in each of the last two seasons. This season marked the first coaching change since the departure of Bill Belichick in 2000, ending a long era that included six Super Bowl victories with Tom Brady.
Kraft's statement highlighted the team's recognition of Mayo's understanding of the Patriots' culture and the respect he commanded from the players. However, the team also acknowledged inheriting a weaker roster at the start of the 2024 season. Despite the roster limitations, Kraft indicated that personnel isn't the only area needing improvement.
Throughout the season, Mayo made headlines for various comments, including criticizing his team's toughness and backtracking on initial statements about free agency spending. Despite starting rookie quarterback Drake Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 draft, Mayo ultimately benched him in favor of backup Joe Milton III, who led the team to a Week 18 win.
Milton's performance in the final game, a 23-16 victory over the Bills, ultimately cost the Patriots the top draft pick. The Patriots will now select fourth overall, behind the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants. Speculation regarding Mayo’s replacement has already begun, with former Patriot and current Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel mentioned as a potential candidate.
