FOXBOROUGH - It's over. Jerod Mayo, the hand-picked successor to Bill Belichick, has been dismissed after just one season at the helm, an inglorious end to an inglorious season.
Owner Robert Kraft had made this hire very personal, telling anyone who would listen that Mayo had won him over on a retreat to Israel years ago. It was then that he knew the former Patriot first-round pick would be handed the keys to what, up until a few years ago, was simply the best franchise in the sport. Instead, impaired by a rotten roster, penny-pinching ownership, and his own missteps, Mayo couldn't navigate this challenging year.
The team released a statement shortly after the locker room was closed for the evening, quoting Kraft.
"After the game today, I informed Jerod Mayo that he will not be returning as the head coach of the New England Patriots in 2025. 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."
"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."
"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."
In his brief post-game press conference - before the news became public - Mayo declined to discuss his future. His eyes were glistening, either a result of the cold and blustery day or what he described as an emotional locker room.
"Proud of the way they came out and competed today," he said. "Just there in the locker room, pretty emotional, but at the same time, these guys have been turning the page, ignoring the noise, and just coming to work every day, and I'm very appreciative of that. I told them after the first win of the season, the coaches are nothing without the players. I told them that again. I appreciated the effort."
The Patriots snapped their 6-game losing streak, ending the season with a 23-16 victory over the Bills. Usually, that would be a cause for celebration. But not today. The Pats won the one game that most of the fan base, and definitely some folks on the inside, didn't want them to. You can't make this up. They screwed up tanking on a day when they were doing everything they could from a roster management situation to ensure it happened. As Clark Griswold uttered in Christmas Vacation, "If this isn't the biggest bag-over-the-head, punch-in-the-face I ever got…"
"Look, any time we step foot - and I've said this over the past couple weeks - as a player, as a coach, we always want to go out there and win," said Mayo of the team's approach and performance.
The players didn't want to entertain too much talk about Mayo's future post-game, and what they did - or didn't say - was telling.
"Ups and downs," said Keion White of playing under Mayo this year. "He's learning. We're all learning. I think he has a connection with the players, each and every one of us. I think - as we all - can all do better in certain areas, but it's all a learning curve, and switching regimes from the last regime to this regime, especially with somebody who's been here for 20-plus years, is going to be a big learning curve of this is how we do it now versus how we did it for 20 plus years. And so that's just what happened."
"We're all judged on it, no matter what the circumstances are," said Jon Jones when asked about hypothetically moving on from Mayo after one year was fair. He later spoke about what's changed from the successful teams he played on to what this organization has become.
"A lot. Players. Timing. There's a lot of difference. It's not the same team. Same logo, but different individuals. And so, you just have to get guys in here and get everybody in here on the same page and back to winning."
This had to happen. The atmosphere today at Gillette was one I won't forget anytime soon. For 1 p.m. games, I leave my house no later than 10:30 a.m.. My ride is typically congested, even with my ability to avoid Route 1 til a half mile out (or so). On Sunday, I had the most straightforward, traffic-free drive since the Covid season, when fans weren't allowed in the building. That is a stark reminder of how far this franchise has fallen in recent years, from perennial title contender (and winner) to the very bottom of the league. Yes, this fan base is spoiled, but they - you - know that falling this far didn't have to happen and won't be accepted.
As I crossed under the Route 1 overpass just before the Dunkin Donuts and State Police barracks, I saw my first jersey. It stood out. A red 'Vrabel #94' from his Ohio State days. Foreshadowing, perhaps? Once inside the compound, parking lots were half-full and quiet. Even the security guards were whispering about how awful this season has been and the need for change. Yeah, it's been that kind of year.
The stands were sparse. There were signs: '86 the Mayo,' 'Know your place (last?),' and a straightforward 'Fire Mayo.' There were paper bags on heads, including one with a written message of 'Losers of the League' on one side and "Fire Kraft' on the other. The biggest cheers came during Joe Milton's 48-yard touchdown strike to Kayshon Boutte, and to the collection of hearty souls who decided to chug beers when they got their chilled faces on the video board. Real nice team you got there, Robert and Jonathan. The owner's suite had the windows closed for the entirety. I wonder why.
But the crowd-wide angst, at least by those paying attention, was audible several times, especially as the clock ticked closer to the end. Fans were armed with the knowledge that this team went from having control of the first five rounds (they'd have the top pick in each of those) to falling to #4 in the draft order. So much for the draft haul, or at least as much as everyone hoped, and so much for the Mayo era. It was believed he would usher them into the future and return this organization to prominence. Instead, the Pats have hit the reset button and will try to get it right for the first time since letting Tom Brady walk out that door.
