Change at the Helm for the New England Patriots
In a surprising turn of events, less than a day after the New England Patriots' season came to an end, Jerod Mayo, the first-year head coach, was let go. The decision came from none other than Robert Kraft, the illustrious owner of the Patriots, who met with media representatives to share insights into this sudden development.
Kraft didn't shy away from the responsibility that comes with such a decisive move. "This whole situation is on me," Kraft candidly stated. "I feel terrible for Jerod because I put him in an untenable situation. I know that he has all the tools as a head coach to be successful in this league. He just needed more time before taking the job."
The Subtle Downturn
It seems the decision stemmed from the team's noticeable decline in performance as the season progressed. Kraft reflected on the trajectory, expressing, "I guess the main thing for me is I felt we regressed. The high point of everything was winning in the Cincinnati game [in Week 1], and in the midseason, I just think we started to regress." Despite securing the victory against Cincinnati right out of the gate, the Patriots couldn't sustain that momentum, which ultimately influenced Kraft's decision.
A Personal Note
Jerod Mayo, once considered the hand-picked successor to the legendary Bill Belichick, is out of the picture. Kraft had foreseen Mayo as Belichick’s heir apparent a substantial five years ago. However, Kraft acknowledged that Mayo wasn't quite set up for success, stating that it was one of the more challenging actions he has undertaken. "It was one of the more difficult things I've had to do in my life," he confessed, adding that he believes Mayo has a bright future once he gains more experience.
Moving Forward
Now, the search for a new leader begins, and Kraft is committed to finding the right person to steer the Patriots back to their championship ways. Eliot Wolf, the vice president of player personnel, along with personnel executive Alonzo Highsmith, will spearhead the coaching search. Both men are firmly in their roles as Kraft confirmed, "They will be staying on."
Among potential candidates, former Patriots player Mike Vrabel appears to be a promising contender, given his ties to the organization. As Kraft seeks someone to rejuvenate the team, the determination is evident—success is the priority. After all, as Kraft put it, "I don't like losing. I don't like the way we lost."