The New England Patriots made a puzzling decision at the end of their game that’s left some fans to wonder what’s going on.
After the Patriots’ Week 18 victory over the Buffalo Bills, which knocked them out of consideration for the top overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Pats dumped head coach Jerod Mayo after just one year at the helm.
This shocking decision comes after Patriots owner Robert Kraft revealed that the team handpicked Mayo, a former Pro Bowl linebacker for the team, as legendary head coach Bill Belichick’s successor earlier this year.
But despite that, Kraft gave Mayo practically zero rope and room to improve upon one of the NFL’s worst teams. And so after just 18 games, he’s gone.
New England confirmed the news that the team moved on from Mayo with a startling announcement, written by the owner Kraft.
Statement from Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft: https://t.co/2YgHtzzBHK pic.twitter.com/GMXGgd768x
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 5, 2025
“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,” Kraft wrote in the statement. “For me, personally, this was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made.”
Kraft attempted to rationalize the quick trigger by saying the team’s trajectory “did not ascend as I had hoped.” He expressed gratitude towards Mayo for his contributions and appreciation for his hard work.
Though, one might argue that retaining him for longer than year would have done a good job showing appreciation.
The Patriots will likely go after Mike Vrabel to fill the vacancy. Still, it’s a stunning and puzzling decision by New England. It’s left some puzzled in the aftermath.
I have lost all faith in Bob Kraft. He is setting this franchise on the road to ruin. I am canceling my season tickets. He has lost his way. https://t.co/9RRD8Ff80M
— Jim Fossel (@JimFossel) January 5, 2025
Clearly, this was decided before the game today. The game ended just over an hour ago. Why not do it during the week and likely preserve the No. 1 pick.
The Krafts deserve as much blame as anyone for the position the franchise is in. https://t.co/XR07tbcEO6
— Ryan Hannable (@RyanHannable) January 5, 2025
I don’t believe the Patriots winning today had any impact on Mayo’s firing, purely on the length of this statement https://t.co/IRQfld8U0S
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) January 5, 2025
Robert Kraft takes it on the chin in this statement. I’m bummed, I really wanted to like Jerod Mayo as a head coach the way I liked him as a player and member of the coaching staff. https://t.co/ofmLYrsXYT
— Ned Donovan | Encounter Party On Demand On Roku! (@neddonovan) January 5, 2025
