The New England Patriots have parted ways with head coach Jerod Mayo after just one season, signaling another major shift for the franchise following last year’s departure of longtime coach Bill Belichick.
Owner Robert Kraft announced the decision on Sunday, shortly after the Patriots concluded a disappointing 4-13 season with a 23-16 victory over the Buffalo Bills.
“Following today’s game, I informed Jerod Mayo that he will not be returning as the head coach of the New England Patriots in 2025,” Kraft said. “This was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make. Unfortunately, the team’s performance throughout the season did not meet the expectations we had set.”
Kraft is expected to elaborate on the decision during a news conference on Monday.
Mayo, a former standout Patriots linebacker and assistant coach under Belichick, began his head coaching tenure with high hopes and strong support from Kraft. However, despite a coaching staff that included offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and first-time defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington, Mayo struggled to find success with a young roster led by rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
The Patriots opened the season with a win in Cincinnati but faltered with six consecutive losses, eventually finishing the season with six defeats in their final seven games. The team’s playoff drought has now extended to three years. Belichick’s final season in 2023 also ended with a 4-13 record, closing a legendary 24-year run that delivered six Super Bowl championships.
Mayo’s connection to the Patriots runs deep. He played eight seasons with the team, earning a Super Bowl ring in 2014. After retiring in 2015, he spent several years in the corporate world before returning to football in 2019 as the Patriots’ linebackers coach. His reputation as a rising star in coaching saw him turn down multiple head coaching interviews after the 2022 season to sign an extension with New England.
In 2024, Mayo made history as the Patriots’ first Black head coach and, at 37, was the second-youngest head coach in the NFL. He sought to foster a culture distinct from Belichick’s, emphasizing a more player-friendly approach. While his efforts were appreciated by players, they did not translate to success on the field. The team ranked near the bottom of the league in both offensive and defensive performance and struggled in close games, finishing 3-6 in one-score matchups.
Speculation about Mayo’s successor has already begun, with former Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel emerging as a potential candidate. Vrabel, who coached the Tennessee Titans to three playoff appearances in six years before his 2023 dismissal, was recently interviewed for the New York Jets’ head coaching vacancy.
Despite the disappointing season, players spoke highly of Mayo’s leadership after Sunday’s game. Cornerback Jonathan Jones praised Mayo’s consistency, noting that the team’s effort reflected his ability to motivate players. Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett highlighted the challenges of building cohesion under an entirely new coaching staff, urging patience for long-term success.
“Good things take time,” Brissett said. “It’s not like Rome was built in a day. Patience is key, even if it’s not always easy.”
However, Kraft’s decision to move on from Mayo indicates that patience has its limits.
Kraft’s faith in Mayo dates back to 2008, when the Patriots drafted him 10th overall out of Tennessee. During Mayo’s introductory press conference last January, Kraft recalled the confidence Mayo displayed as a rookie, saying, “Sixteen years later, here we are.”
Kraft’s admiration for Mayo deepened during a 2019 trip to Israel, where the two bonded. At the time, Kraft believed Mayo was destined to lead the Patriots, likening his conviction to the one he had when hiring Belichick—a move that faced initial skepticism but proved legendary.
“Unfortunately, my instincts didn’t lead to the outcome I had hoped for,” Kraft said. Now at 83, Kraft faces the challenge of finding the next head coach to restore the Patriots’ once-dominant legacy.
