NFL Rumors: Patriots HC Jerod Mayo on a short leash with 1-6 record after unseating Bill Belichick
Jerod Mayo has a long history with the New England Patriots, spending his whole career with the team and lately joining Bill Belichick's defensive staff. Now their head coach, Mayo had a huge responsibility of taking over the team following his mentor. But early reports say this might not last.
NFL reporters are saying that the Patriots organization is having second thoughts about whether it was a good decision to hire Jerod Mayo as their head coach. And if things don't improve, this could lead to his firing after just one season on the job.
Other reports say that Robert Kraft had to fire Bill Belichick because he wasn't happy with the decision followed by the franchise over the past four years. Of course, New England's poor record since the 2020 season coincides with Tom Brady going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and winning a seventh ring there.
The Patriots won the first game of the season against the Cincinnati Bengals, but lost all of their matchups ever since. The most important development of their season was Drake Maye becoming their franchise quarterback and taking over from Jacoby Brissett. Although he has not won a game yet, the offense improved.
In Jerod Mayo's era, Drake Maye is the biggest reason to get excited
For the coach and the franchise, the most important thing this year is to develop Drake Maye as much as they can. He has immense potential, but it only matters if the Patriots do things right. And since he has stepped into the field, it's clear that the team feels much more capable on offense.
The feeling around the franchise is totally different. Belichick's hard coaching style is not a secret to anyone who has followed the NFL for a long time, and it worked when they were winning with Tom Brady on the roster; when you're losing and your coach follows a hard line, well, players aren't going to take it.
The number of former players who criticized him since leaving the franchise is high.
No one was expecting a Super Bowl run in 2024 for New England, but that doesn't mean that there wasn't any pressure. If they don't put Maye in the best position to succeed, then it will be time to find a coach who does.