When Robert Kraft employed Jerod Mayo a 12 months in the past, he felt he had recognized the correct particular person to observe the championship legacy left by Bill Belichick.
In hindsight, Kraft now believes that Mayo was not but able to develop into an NFL head coach.
The Patriots staff proprietor stated Monday that his sudden firing of Mayo minutes after finishing his first season on the job is an effort to appropriate that mistake.
“This entire scenario is on me. I really feel horrible for Jerod. Because I put him in an untenable scenario,” Kraft stated a day after relieving the 38-year-old Mayo of the teaching reins following a 4-13 end. “I do know that as a coach he has all of the instruments to achieve success on this league. He simply wanted extra time earlier than taking the job.”
Kraft stated the staff’s win over Buffalo on Sunday, which value the Patriots the No. 1 total decide in April’s NFL Draft, didn’t play into the firing.
Instead, he stated Mayo went from his “excessive level,” profitable the Patriots’ season opener in Cincinnati, to regressing halfway by means of the schedule. So he did not present sufficient indicators of enchancment the remainder of the way in which.
And after seeing back-to-back dismal seasons for a franchise that has gained six Lombardi Trophies over the previous two-plus many years, the 83-year-old proprietor, who known as himself “initially a fan of this staff,” vowed to do what he can to see it get again to championship degree.
“I do not need to undergo this subsequent 12 months. And we’ll do what we’ve to do to repair it,” Kraft stated.
That will begin with shortly interviewing candidates for a job that is without doubt one of the most engaging within the league for a number of causes: New England’s futility this season nonetheless earned them the No. 4 decide within the draft, rookie Drake Maye established as a possible franchise quarterback, and the Patriots enter the offseason with greater than $130 million in wage cap house, probably the most within the league.
What this course correction will not embrace, at the least for now, are main modifications within the entrance workplace, with Kraft confirming that government vp of participant personnel Eliot Wolf and senior personnel government Alonzo Highsmith will each return subsequent season.
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Wolf and Highsmith can even each be concerned within the teaching search, together with Kraft’s son and Patriots staff president Jonathan Kraft.
One of the names that just about instantly circulated as a potential teaching candidate following Mayo’s exit was former Patriots participant and Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel.
A fan favourite throughout his eight seasons as a participant in New England, Vrabel was a member of every of the Patriots’ first three Super Bowl-winning groups.
After retiring, he led the Titans to a few playoff appearances earlier than being fired after the 2023 season.
But Kraft wouldn’t say whether or not Vrabel was at or close to the highest of his checklist of candidates.
“I do not know everybody concerned. There are some great individuals we have heard from, Kraft stated. “I’d quite reply after seeing everybody.”
As they cleaned out their lockers Monday earlier than leaving for the offseason, a number of present Patriots gamers expressed shock at Mayo’s firing.
“Everyone is upset about him leaving,” defenseman Deatrich Wise stated. “We all revered Jerod Mayo. We held him in excessive regard. He did loads for us this 12 months. He was a terrific chief. A terrific particular person and coach. So, we’re all unhappy to see him go. I want all of us might.” . I had the prospect to say goodbye to him. I have not actually seen it. It occurred so quick.”
Fellow defensive sort out Davon Godchaux stated it is a actuality of the NFL. But he stated it is going to take greater than only a new coach to show the staff round.
“I really feel like everyone seems to be accountable. Everyone. Players. Coaches – everybody,” Godchaux stated. “If we are able to do this, issues will begin to transfer ahead. Until then, we’ve an extended journey.”
Associated Press reporting.
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