Will Robert Kraft 'Hold the Mayo' in 2025?

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When it was announced that the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick were parting ways in January of '24, I thought, okay, the last few years have been tough, and maybe moving on is in the best interest of both parties. I never expected Belichick would become an NFL outsider and that none of the other 31 teams wouldn't have any interest in hiring one of the winningest coaches in NFL history. But it happened. Bill was forced out of the club, and some believe the most significant nudge came from his former boss, Robert Kraft.

Kraft claimed he promised his former linebacker, 7-time captain (2009-2015), and defensive coach, Jerod Mayo, the next head coaching job. The Patriots drafted Mayo in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft, 10th overall. He was the Defensive Rookie of the Year and selected to the Pro Bowl in 2010 & 2012, an All-Pro in '10, and was on the 2011 Super Bowl team that lost to the Giants and the 2014 team that beat Atlanta (injured reserve).

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Even with no head coach experience on his resume, Kraft didn't hesitate to name Mayo as Belichick's successor, and here's why…

Many people, myself included, were hoping Kraft would name Mike Vrabel, another former Patriot linebacker, as Belichick's successor. Vrabel has head coach experience with the Tennessee Titans, where he spent three years as linebackers coach before becoming the defensive coordinator for one season, after which he was named head coach. After reaching the AFC Championship in 2019, compiling a 41-23 record in his first four seasons, and being named Coach of the Year in '21 after a 12-5 finish, the Titans missed the playoffs in '22 and '23, finishing 7-10 and 6-11, and Vrabel got the boot.

Anyone taking the reins in New England was bound to have a difficult task replacing an NFL legend. Belichick won 17 AFC East Titles, competed in 13 AFC Championships, winning 9 of them, and went on to win 6 Super Bowls, all while wearing a Patriots hoodie and a familiar scowl.

No one expected a quick turnaround, even from Belichick's 4-13 finish in '23, his worst as Patriot's head coach. All anyone wanted to see was a more competitive team on the field that was headed in the right direction.

In the end, those were high expectations. Mayo started the season with veteran Jacoby Brissett under center, keeping Drake Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, off the field, where he would have time to learn the offense and avoid the oncoming rush that a depleted and inexperienced O-Line appeared to be giving a free pass to. But after a dismal 1-4 start, Mayo rolled out Maye, who immediately impacted the team's ability to score, creating some real excitement among the fan base.

Although Mayo's offense looked more promising with Maye under center, his defense faltered. Over the next 11 games, opponents averaged 27 points per game to the Patriots 15 PPG. Under Belichick in '23, the Patriots averaged 13.88 PPG while holding their opponents to just 21.53 PPG.

Mayo's lack of experience as a head coach has cost him. In addition to that, he's been dealing with injuries, a weak roster, disappointing wide receivers, penalties, turnovers, and disgruntled players. He's showing signs that maybe he wasn't ready to become an NFL head coach. It's not a position you learn on the job at this level. And, he's not very good at the podium either, making bold statements and often contradicting himself later.

So, where do the Patriots go from here? They'll likely finish 3-14 and get some high draft picks, but few coaches can survive that. But Kraft recently announced that Mayo will return next year. He doesn't want to be wrong about his choice, and giving Mayo another year is the only way to prove he was right about cutting ties with Belichick and hiring an inexperienced head coach.

Fans are quickly losing interest in a team that consistently shoots itself in the foot with holding penalties, offsides, illegal motion, fumbles, and dropped passes. That lack of discipline clearly rests on the new head coach, Jerod Mayo.

During Week 17's 40-7 shellacking at home by the Chargers last Saturday, Patriots fans started chanting, "Fire Mayo!" It pissed off some loyal Patriots players who became very vocal about the unfair treatment being shown to their head coach. But you can't blame fans for demanding better, especially season ticket holders. They're the ones who spent their hard-earned money on tickets, invested their time, and got very little in return. They believe the "rebuild" is taking too long and blame it on Mayo's inexperience and Kraft's reluctance to spend on elite players. (they think he's cheap)

I don't expect Kraft to fire Mayo. He would look bad. I can see the OC, DC, and the de facto GM all getting a taste of the front end of Kraft's tasseled loafer where the sun don't shine. But If Kraft wants to stay with Mayo, he'll have to spend some money on elite players who will impact his team immediately; that's if he wants to keep his fans happy and the seats at Gillette full.

We'll have to wait and see if the billionaire owner who was only willing to spend $75 for a rub & tug will open his wallet and splurge for some elite NFL players…