Jerod Mayo’s Surprising Exit: A Year of Challenges and Changes for the Patriots
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — In a move that has left many fans and analysts scratching their heads, Jerod Mayo is out after just one year as head coach of the New England Patriots. The team made the announcement on Sunday, marking a swift end to what was hoped to be a promising new chapter for the storied franchise.
The Patriots wrapped up the 2024 season with a disappointing 4-13 record. This outcome ties Mayo’s tenure with that of Rod Rust, who went 1-15 in 1990, for the shortest in the franchise’s history. It’s a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the NFL.
Owner Robert Kraft expressed his personal difficulty with the decision, stating, “For me, personally, this was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. I have known Jerod for 17 years. He earned my respect and admiration as a rookie in 2008 and throughout his career for his play on the field, his leadership in the locker room and the way he conducted himself in our community. When he joined our coaching staff, his leadership was even more evident, as I saw how the players responded to him. When other teams started requesting to interview him, I feared I would lose him and committed to making him our next head coach. Winning our season-opener on the road at Cincinnati only strengthened my convictions. Unfortunately, the trajectory of our team’s performances throughout the season did not ascend as I had hoped.”
Kraft continued, “Since buying the team, I have always considered myself and my family as custodians of a public asset. We have tremendous fans who expect and deserve a better product than we have delivered in recent years. I apologize for that. I have given much thought and consideration as to what actions I can take to expedite our return to championship contention and determined this move was the best option at this time.”
Despite the disappointing season, Kraft expressed gratitude for Mayo’s contributions, saying, “I am grateful for Jerod’s many contributions to the New England Patriots throughout his career and will always be rooting for his success. I appreciate all his hard work and hope the experiences gained will help him in the future, as I still believe he will be a successful head coach in this league. I wish Jerod and his family nothing but success in the future.”
Interestingly, the Patriots managed to win Mayo’s last game as coach, a 23-16 victory over the Buffalo Bills. This win, however, had the unintended consequence of dropping New England from picking No. 1 in the 2025 draft to No. 4.
With Mayo’s departure, Robert Kraft and team president Jonathan Kraft are now tasked with finding the Patriots’ 16th head coach. Among the candidates expected to be interviewed is former New England linebacker and Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel.
Kraft had anticipated “growing pains” in Mayo’s debut season, partly because Mayo inherited a depleted roster. The Patriots entered the year tied with the Carolina Panthers for the lowest projected win total — 4.5. This decision to move on from Mayo suggests that Kraft viewed the team’s struggles as more than just a lack of talent.
While firing a head coach after one season is rare, it’s not unheard of. Over the past decade, Mayo joins a list of coaches who didn’t make it to their second season, including Frank Reich (Panthers, 2023), Nathaniel Hackett (Denver Broncos, 2022), Lovie Smith (Houston Texans, 2022), David Culley (Texans, 2021), Urban Meyer (Jacksonville Jaguars, 2021), Freddie Kitchens (Cleveland Browns, 2019), Steve Wilks (Arizona Cardinals, 2018), Chip Kelly (San Francisco 49ers, 2016), and Jim Tomsula (49ers, 2015).
The 38-year-old Mayo was handpicked by Robert Kraft as the successor to Bill Belichick, with Kraft citing Mayo’s ability to connect with a younger generation of players. Mayo’s journey with the Patriots began as a linebacker from 2008 to 2015. After retiring, he ventured into finance and media before joining Belichick’s staff as a linebackers coach from 2019 to 2023.
Before being named head coach on Jan. 17, 2024, Mayo had interviewed for head coaching positions with the Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, and Las Vegas Raiders. Concerned about losing Mayo, Kraft included a succession clause in his contract in 2023, which NFL commissioner Roger Goodell later praised as “smart management.”
One of the major disappointments during Mayo’s tenure was the defense, an area where he was expected to excel. The defense regressed in several areas, entering the season finale with just 12 takeaways and ranking last in the NFL in quarterback contacts, according to ESPN Research.
Mayo also faced challenges off the field, having to walk back several comments throughout the year. He admitted to making a “rookie mistake” when he initially stated that the Patriots would “burn some cash” in free agency, later clarifying that they would spend wisely. He also made headlines by calling the Patriots “a soft football team across the board” after a sixth straight loss in October, which he later clarified to mean the team was “playing soft.”
Despite these challenges, Mayo remained candid with the media, acknowledging his mistakes as a first-year coach and expressing his commitment to learning from them. He described his coaching style as focused on “developing people” and emphasized his role as a teacher, helping players see what they need to see.
The Patriots have not won a playoff game since their 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII on Feb. 3, 2019. As the team looks to the future, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see who steps into the role of head coach and how the team plans to return to its former glory.
Originally Written by: ESPN
