New England Patriots fire Jerod Mayo just minutes after he led team to final-day win that lost them No 1 draft pick
The Patriots have fired head coach Jerod Mayo after one season at the helm of the team.
Mayo was the hand-picked successor to Bill Belichick, who remained at the helm of the team for just under twelve months.
New England improved to 4-13 with a final-day win over the Buffalo Bills that cost the team the top overall selection in this year’s NFL Draft.
The Patriots are stuck with the No. 4 selection in April’s draft because they have the worst schedule of the teams with 13 losses.
Mayo answered questions at a post-match press conference and was fired by team owner Robert Kraft shortly afterwards. The former Patriot player got the ax about an hour after the final whistle against Buffalo.
Kraft’s statement about Mayo was circulated quickly after the pink slip was given, meaning the Patriots owner likely made the decision to fire his head coach before Sunday’s AFC East game.
Jerod Mayo was fired by the New England Patriots about an hour after the team defeated the Bills
“After today’s game, I informed Jerod Mato that he will not return as head coach of the New England Patriots in 2025,” Kraft’s statement read. ‘For me personally, this was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made. I’ve known Jerod for seventeen 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 when I saw how the players responded to him. When other teams started requesting to interview him, I feared I would lose him and decided to make him our next head coach.”
“Winning our season opener on the road in Cincinnati only strengthened my beliefs. Unfortunately, our team’s performance throughout the season did not go as I had hoped.”