The New England Patriots have officially started to write another chapter after the firing of head coach Jerod Mayo just one season after he took over the reins. This decision marks yet another fresh start for the franchise, which had already seen significant changes following the previous year's breakup with longtime coach Bill Belichick. The announcement came shortly after the Patriots wrapped up their 4-13 season with a 23-16 win against the Buffalo Bills, raising questions about the team's direction heading forward.
Team owner Robert Kraft disclosed the news after the game, expressing the difficulty of the decision. "After the game I informed Jerod Mayo, he will not be returning as the head coach of the New England Patriots for 2025. For me, personally, it was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made," Kraft stated. He continued, noting, "Unfortunately, the trajectories of our team’s performances throughout the season did not ascend as I had hoped." Kraft is set to elaborate on this choice during a news conference on Monday.
Mayo's tenure was marked by challenges as he aimed to develop young talent, including rookie quarterback Drake Maye, along with his coaching staff, which included offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington. The team’s start gave fans hope with their initial victory against Cincinnati, yet they quickly fell apart, enduring six consecutive losses. Although they managed to win two of their next three games, their performance fizzled as they lost six of their last seven games, culminating in their third straight season without playoff appearances.
Mayo's career with the Patriots began as a linebacker, where he enjoyed success over eight seasons, winning Super Bowl XLIX. His promotion to head coach came after he turned down head coaching interviews elsewhere to sign with the Patriots. This past year, he embraced the role of the first Black head coach for the Patriots, aiming to pivot from the stringent philosophies of Belichick.
Yet, Mayo's fresh approach couldn’t overcome the struggles of the team, which ranked low offensively and defensively. The Patriots also faced heartbreak with tragic performances, finishing 3-6 in one-score games. While some players affirmed Mayo's efforts as head coach, it was evident the results did not match the expectations set by Kraft. Cornerback Jonathan Jones spoke favorably about Mayo, stating, "He’s stayed consistent. The effort from the guys today showed just how no matter what the situation is, how he can get guys to go out there and fight."
Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett noted the adjustment challenges with so many new faces across the coaching staff. "People don’t understand all of this. First year for head coach, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, (general manager). Good things take time. It’s not like Rome was built in a day," he remarked.
Despite the positivity from his players, Kraft displayed little patience, having previously noted the potential he saw in Mayo after drafting him 10th overall from Tennessee back in 2008. Kraft recalled, "I knew he was the right person to be the next head coach of the New England Patriots. Sixteen years later, here we are." Unfortunately, this affinity did not translate to winning games and improving team performance.
Now, Kraft faces the challenge of finding Mayo's replacement as head coach. Potential candidates already being mentioned include Mike Vrabel, who has historical ties to the Patriots as well as coaching experience. Vrabel, who coached the Tennessee Titans for three playoff appearances over six years, was recently considered for the Jets' head coaching job. Kraft will need to make quick decisions to change the course of the team.
Adding to the excitement of the finale, rookie quarterback Joe Milton made his professional debut during this final game of the season. Stepping up after Maye, Milton delivered quite the performance, completing 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards, alongside one passing and one rushing touchdown. "I think I showed myself I’m capable of doing this. If coaches around feel like I did a good job, then I did," he told CBS after the game.
Milton's success provided a bright note amid the season's struggles and came as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches. The Patriots finished on the fourth overall pick instead of falling behind other teams, maintaining value for the upcoming draft. "You have to keep going," Milton said. "Only thing on our mind this week was this game, it meant a lot to us because it was the next one."
Looking back, the Patriots’ season will be remembered for its mix of challenges, breakthroughs, and the emotional weight of major coaching changes. With Kraft now tasked to find the right coach to lead the storied franchise back to its winning form, Patriots fans are left eagerly awaiting the next steps. The prospect of fresh leadership brings both excitement and anxiety as the Patriots prepare for what lies ahead.