From The Athletic - "Inside Mayo's Disastrous Season"

[Ross12]

They liked their plan entering that week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. But they lost 30-17 in an uncompetitive snoozefest. The team looked incompetent, even with an extra week to prepare. That was the start of a terrible stretch that led to head coach Jerod Mayo’s swift firing Sunday night.

On the long plane ride back to TF Green International Airport in Providence, R.I., most of Mayo’s assistants grabbed their laptops and studied cut-ups from the loss, the customary move for NFL coaches during the return flight after games...

But in a move that surprised some at the front of the plane after such a lopsided loss, according to a team source, Mayo, the team’s first-year head coach who had been handpicked by owner Robert Kraft to succeed Bill Belichick, left his spot near the front and went back to where some players had gathered to play cards, choosing to hang out there while his assistants watched film.

On a night when the frustration over a terrible performance had some wondering if their jobs were about to be in jeopardy, it was surprising to at least one person at the front of the plane to see the head coach mingling with players in such a casual way.

Inside Jerod Mayo’s disastrous season with the Patriots: ‘I just don’t think he was ready’

From a lack of talent on the roster to his inexperience and struggles with discipline, Mayo had little chance to succeed in New England.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Ross12]

But from day one, Mayo ran into issues. It started while trying to build out his coaching staff. Mayo’s entire eight-year professional playing career was with one team and one coach. So Mayo’s Rolodex was tiny. He interviewed more than a dozen candidates for the offensive coordinator job before Alex Van Pelt finally accepted the role.

With the defensive coordinator role, the other most important spot on his staff, Mayo was surprisingly decisive. Even though Steve Belichick, Bill’s son, had been the Patriots’ defensive play caller in recent years while they routinely boasted top-10 units, Mayo didn’t offer him the chance to continue calling plays, according to a team source, opting instead for young defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington. Mayo offered Steve a lesser role, but the younger Belichick declined and left to become the defensive coordinator at the University of Washington.

This season, the Patriots’ drop-off on defense was the biggest reason for their struggles. They ranked 8th in the league in defensive EPA per play in 2023. They ranked 30th in that category this season.

 

[Brotherblues]

I'd rather move on than pile on.

That said (see what I did here?) there is nothing surprising about any of this stuff and anything else that will come out. It is mindblowing but also unsurprising at the same time. All of it was evident from the very beginning.

 

[neckroll#14]

Correct. Don't feel bad for Mayo - he will make more sitting on his couch next year than most make in a career... Anyone with functional eyes could see that he was completely unprepared for the role of HC for the NEP... time to turn the page.

 

[Sect140]

Scott Zolak is saying that part of that story isn’t true, he said Mayo never sat at the front of the plane, he was always in the back, he was playing cards with the players which is odd after a bad loss.

 

[Steve102]

I'd rather move on than pile on.

That said (see what I did here?) there is nothing surprising about any of this stuff and anything else that will come out. It is mindblowing but also unsurprising at the same time. All of it was evident from the very beginning.

I am with you. I'd just as soon forget the 2024 season and move on to the excitement and optimism that will no doubt come with a new HC. Bring on the combine, pro days, senior bowl and draft.

 

[Ross12]

Scott Zolak is saying that part of that story isn’t true, he said Mayo never sat at the front of the plane, he was always in the back, he was playing cards with the players which is odd after a bad loss.

Doesn't that make this EVEN WORSE?

"It's not true that he started the plane ride where he was supposed to be and then left to where he wasn't supposed to be. He was ALWAYS where he wasn't supposed to be!"

 

[yukon cornelius]

is it a hit piece, or simply providing evidence that runs contrary to the talking heads coming out with "he was set up to fail" or "he was fired because he's black"?

 

[Ross12]

I'd rather move on than pile on.

That said (see what I did here?) there is nothing surprising about any of this stuff and anything else that will come out. It is mindblowing but also unsurprising at the same time. All of it was evident from the very beginning.

I think the correct line is "Look, having said that..."

 

[gobesmug]

Correct. Don't feel bad for Mayo - he will make more sitting on his couch next year than most make in a career... Anyone with functional eyes could see that he was completely unprepared for the role of HC for the NEP... time to turn the page.

Yep and he will most likely have another shot at being a DC. Not being ready to be a HC doesn't mean he can't learn from this failed experience

 

[RobertWeathers]

I was not aware that was how the BB Jr. departure went down.

I remember Mayo saying Stephen would have a role in the org if he wanted it, but did not know he was never offered DC.

Wonder if he would have stayed if he was offered it.

 

[Ross12]

I was not aware that was how the BB Jr. departure went down.

I remember Mayo saying Stephen would have a role in the org if he wanted it, but did not know he was never offered DC.

Wonder if he would have stayed if he was offered it.

Remember his wife tweeting the picture of Steve and Mayo's matching wallets? We all assumed that meant Steve was staying but then a day or two later it was announced he was leaving. Looking back, that was most likely a picture that was meant to say "you are betraying someone who was supposed to be your brother."

 

[Steve102]

is it a hit piece, or simply providing evidence that runs contrary to the talking heads coming out with "he was set up to fail" or "he was fired because he's black"?

I haven't heard the second part, but the first part is partially true. He was in over his head from day one, given a job a couple years too soon because of the accelerated time line with Bill's unexpected departure. He needed seasoning, support and mentoring.

 

[Ross12]

is it a hit piece, or simply providing evidence that runs contrary to the talking heads coming out with "he was set up to fail" or "he was fired because he's black"?

Fair point. I changed the title.

 

[Ross12]

I haven't heard the second part, but the first part is partially true. He was in over his head from day one, given a job a couple years too soon because of the accelerated time line with Bill's unexpected departure. He needed seasoning, support and mentoring.

I have heard "set up to fail" or "not given a fair chance" a lot. I have heard "it was because of race" only a couple times from very unserious people in the media (i.e. Shannon Sharpe)

 

[Real fan 02]

I'd rather move on than pile on.

That said (see what I did here?) there is nothing surprising about any of this stuff and anything else that will come out. It is mindblowing but also unsurprising at the same time. All of it was evident from the very beginning.

Mayo should just go the Flores route. Take a defensive assistant job somewhere . If Tomlin reaches out he should consider it. If he wants to ever become a great coach he needs to go the route Flores has taken IMO.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Remember his wife tweeting the picture of Steve and Mayo's matching wallets? We all assumed that meant Steve was staying but then a day or two later it was announced he was leaving. Looking back, that was most likely a picture that was meant to say "you are betraying someone who was supposed to be your brother."

I do remember the tweet now.

That move was all about politics.

Jackoff.

 

[turkeyneck]

The irony is that if Mayo had kept SB as DC Mayo might still have his job.

But, in the long run we're better off that he didn't. We've avoided a long run of sub-mediocrity.

 

[Ross12]

The irony is that if Mayo had kept SB as DC Mayo might still have his job.

But, in the long run we're better off that he didn't. We've avoided a long run of sub-mediocrity.

Steve B at DC probably keeps the defense close to what they were last year, probably still a dropoff without Bill, but maybe middle of the league. That would most likely be good enough to swing a few of the 6 one score losses... let's say half... the team would be 7-10.

 

[jdlboot14]

Mayo got a hard lesson in the real world of meritocracy.
He started off by declaring that DEI factors are important to him, and he wanted a corporate work/life balance...
Well, guess what, when you mostly care about assistants & players liking you - your team quickly descends to the bottom.
Can't be stated enough how horrible of a decision that was by Kraft - and most of us KNEW IT the moment it was announced.