Reading the Tea Leaves on Mayo and Wolf (Personal Speculation)

[mgcolby]

*Warning* This is a long post about my personal speculation on Mayo and Wolf's job security based on media reports, state of the team etc..

I've been thinking about how silent the Kraft's have been for the past couple of months. Especially since the mutiny within the Pats fan base and even some media are engineering against Mayo. Mostly I've been contemplating what I think that to mean.

First you have a football team full of players freely speaking their minds mostly in a non-positive manner. Second you have a head coach who might have the worst media presence I have ever seen. Third, you have now, a worse record than last year and likely the number one pick in the draft. Which says congratulations your team sucked the most in 2024.


I will focus on the the last point first. I was curious so I googled Kraft interviews and I couldn't find anything since October. One of them may have spoken to the media since then, but I was unable to find a reference to one and I don't recall one.

Since Kraft did his interview explaining why he fired Bellichick, after stating it was an amicable parting of ways. After writing this, it kinda sounds like something our Head Coach would do and say. Anyway he stated this in the interview.

“What he did for us was great. People need to adapt,” Kraft added. “People need to adapt and if they don’t, things can change. In life, it’s about getting good chemistry and trust and I feel that our record the last three or four years wasn’t what I wanted.”
Wasn't what he wanted he says. Well clearly 3-14 is not what he wants either as that is worse than any record over the last three to four years. Yet we get report after report by local and national talking heads, mostly saying Mayo is safe. But nothing from the Kraft's directly.


Now to the second point. Mayo's media presence or lack thereof. He clearly has multiple problems. We are all aware of them I am sure, but I will note them here anyway: Contradiction, Lack of Responsibility, Throwing his players and coaches under the bus - but the biggest one IMO, came this week when he stated Gibson would start. He told Zo, he told the broadcast team who made note of it and announced it during the broadcast, he subtilty told us during the week in a presser that changes will be made referencing starters and taking care of the football. Which wasn't hard to read between the lines. Rham was not going to start and would have a reduced role on Saturday.

This is starting to look and feel like a team with internal communication issues starting at the top of the staff and has since spilled onto the field and post game locker room comments from the players. There is no way in hell, if I am the Head Coach and I tell multiple people with certainty, that a player is not going to start due to ball security issues that player will be on the field for the first snap. No if and or buts. If I even see him start trotting on to the field I will be in the coordinators ass! Period! And he will be trotting right back off.

Mayo has no control over this team and that is a blatant example proving it. This can not be explained away by anyone. It was open, it was public and we all saw it. This has been visible all season by the players lack of filter in their responses to the media, but this cements it as fact not just rumor, conjecture or opinion.


The media has been asking Mayo directly about his job security for a month or so now and we get mostly the same answer. The latest one about answering it will do no good, is probably one of the best answers he has given to the media.

The lack of ownership making any statements one way or the other to me is somewhat telling. I believe all the reports from the media even the contradictory ones. And here is why.

We have all heard them, everything from they will give him time. If the team finishes strong he will be back, but maybe with some changes to the staff. If they don't finish strong everything is on the table (some annotate that everything other than Mayo).


As I said I believe them all for various reasons. First timing. I do believe at the various times of these reports the team was in different stages of suck. I do believe 100% the Kraft's were prepared to give Mayo a long leash as the rebuild took place. But IMO, and based off of Robert's own words, he did not expect to take a step back this season. And they have taken a huge step in reverse. I believe the finish strong and changes to the staff was more about the defensive side at first, when these reports started coming out a few weeks ago. Then just before the Buffalo game we heard mixed reports from Mayo is safe all the way to everything is on the table. I again believe that was intentional off the record statements from the Kraft's. I could speculate on the why but I won't because we truly don't know.

After Buffalo, things started swinging back to Mayo is definitely safe and and the staff will be overhauled. Mayo himself sort of reinforced those reports with his "we will see who we want to keep around here" for both players and coaches.


Now the debauchery that took place at one Patriot Way on Saturday brought everything full circle. I mean we had it all. Completely embarrassed at home by a team coached by someone the Kraft's could have pursued and dominated by a rookie that could have been wearing a Pats jersey, if the front office made a different choice. Questionable coaching decisions and the obligatory post game comments. All the while fans chanting "Fire Mayo". The only thing missing was a plane flying over the stadium with a banner saying fire Mayo or sell the team.

The Kraft's witnessed this with their own eyes. For all the grief they receive on here and else where they are not stupid people. They have to be aware of the fan bases sentiment and how widespread it is. They also are aware of the perfect storm this team has to set themselves up for the next decade with the right moves in free agency and the draft. They also should be aware that Wolf who isn't talked about enough or at all during these reports has not shown the ability to be the man leading this effort. I am sure they saw the poll (don't recall where it was) with something like 98% of the respondents want Mayo gone.

I believe the Kraft's silence is tactical. I also believe Robert truly does not want to fire Mayo. IMO, Robert has refrained from making a statement to give Mayo every chance he can while leaving his options open. I think the leaks were the Krafts way to let the public know where they stand. They could easily come out and state Mayo and Wolf are safe and will be back next year putting an end to all the speculation. But they haven't, and IMO that speaks volumes.

I am of the mindset that they are not fully committed one way or the other yet. I can envision them leaning towards cleaning house but giving both Mayo and Wolf a chance to give them a plan heading forward before making the final decision. Mayo for the coaching staff and Wolf for front office staff additions/subtractions, free agency and the draft.

I think Jonathan will have a heavy say in the final decision. If you remember the reports coming out last year. Bob wants to see Bellichick's contract through but Jonathan says he is done. Well, he was done. Looking at the disgust Jonathan showed in Arizona. I think at the very least Mayo will be done. I hope wolf is gone as well or at least bring in an experienced football first front office guy for him to report to.


How do you read the tea leaves and bread crumbs?

 

[turkeyneck]

Good summary of where things stand.

I hang my hopes on this

They could easily come out and state Mayo and Wolf are safe and will be back next year putting an end to all the speculation. But they haven't, and IMO that speaks volumes.

But also note re

I am of the mindset that they are not fully committed one way or the other yet.

One foot on the dock and one foot in the departing boat leaves you in the drink. They need to decide and then to act before all the playing pieces are scarfed up by other teams. I fear they diddle until their options evaporate.

 

[PatsFan2]

@mgcolby Great post: I just hope the Silent Krafts make the most of Black Monday. Their will be some good names with Legit NFL Experience Available.

 

[irishfanatic]

Good post and the silence from the Krafts is definitely noteworthy. Hopefully much is being explored behind the scenes to right the ship which has foundered.

 

[Rob0729]

I think if it was up to Jonathan, he would clean house and get the top talent in the league. He seems to be the most business-like of the two.
Robert is too sentimental. I think if it never came to head between Belichick and Brady, he would have let Brady play with the Pats forever even if Brady was using a walker and had to throw the ball with two hands. He should have fired Belichick after the Patricia fiasco (reports are Jonathan wanted to). I think he will hold onto Mayo because of personal reasons and not football reasons.

Unless Jonathan takes over or Robert, seeing his own mortality, wants to make this team a winner before he dies and changes how he does business, I think Mayo gets a second year.

Personally, I think in time Mayo could become a good or great head coach. I think the problem is the Pats will have to waste much or most of Maye's rookie contract to get there. I don't think the Pats have the time.

My guess what will happen is Mayo will get another year. Much of his coaching staff will be fired. Hopefully, they will get an OC with a lot of experience who can almost be a co-head coach and run the offense more autonomously and allow Mayo to focus on the defense. I think that is the best case scenario.

 

[Grogan14]

If Kraft is sure he wants Mayo back, the time for him to throw his support behind him (that he will be coming back next season) is THIS week before Sunday's game. I suspect if he does not come out with a statement of support by Saturday it means that they are going to re-evaluate after Sunday's game.

Kraft could squash all the speculation with a statement reaffirming he will be coming back in 25 any day this week. If we hear nothing...it means he is not a sure thing to return,

 

[Ochmed Jones]

the krafts need to hire a head of football operations and key that person run the team

 

[Fubby]

The reason the Krafts have been silent is because they are trying to figure out how they can spin this disaster to put them in the greatest light possible. I don’t think they’ve figured that out yet but I’m sure all the details will be in some AppleTV documentary coming out next fall called “2024 New England Patriots: It was Bill’s Fault”

 

[Ross12]

I suspect that Robert would prefer to keep Jerod and just replace his coordinators. What I am hoping they are learning right now via back channel communication is that they will not find any quality coordinators who are any better than what they already have who are willing to work under Jerod. This means their only options are A) run it back with the same exact staff next year or B) clean house. When faced with those two options, they’ll know B is the only sensible option.

 

[Clonamery]

I believe the Krafts will pray to the Wailing Mayo.

 

[Love The Drake]

Time to throw the Mayo out and we are willing and Vrabel.
Will that catch on willing and Vrabel?
I love the idea of an offensive mastermind hc but but this team needs a kick in the mouth and some teeth knocked out and that’s Mike Vrabel.
I don’t know how the Moores, Kingsburys, Brady’s, Johnson’s are.

 

[KCSVEN]

Based on reports I don't believe Robert wants to fire Mayo, I think he believes Mayo will prove him right and he did not expect much in year 1. I think Jonathan would never have hired Mayo and would like to move on.
I think Robert is saying, we have cap space, we might have the #1 pick overall, we have a QB that can entice other players to sign, let us see what Wolf and Mayo can do, no excuses in 2025. Then he will fire him LOL.

A recent report has him wavering, however, per Diana Russini who less than 2 weeks ago was saying Mayo would be back. We can only hope he wavers enough!

I can tell you that the Kraft family they were ready for the bumps and bruises here. They knew that a first-time head coach is going to go through it, they are learning on the job in a really tough market. But you have to wonder if this has been good enough and I can tell you the tone in that building went from ‘yeah we’re going to probably be safe’ whereas I can tell you people in that building do not feel that strongly about it anymore,” she said.

“I believe going to come down to the last games here with (Robert) Kraft really making a decision, ‘Do I pull the band-aid and just own it,’ and say, ‘we believed in him, we thought maybe he had the pieces of what a great coach would be, but it’s not going to be able to work. We don’t have the time and patience for it, we don’t want to waste the years of a great young quarterback,’ and then find someone that can come in.”

“Maybe we just give them one more year, yeah. But as we know Colin, how many times do we see owners do this? Usually, if you’re playing with it, if you’re toying with it, you should make the move. Because you always come back the next year and you’ll end up firing the guy, anyway. If Robert Kraft is having doubts, then this could be another opening we see available.”

 

[Froob]

They've said A LOT for a team that is supposedly keeping Mayo. I'm for a reset. Clean house.

 

[Lagaffe_07]

I suspect that Robert would prefer to keep Jerod and just replace his coordinators. What I am hoping they are learning right now via back channel communication is that they will not find any quality coordinators who are any better than what they already have who are willing to work under Jerod. This means their only options are A) run it back with the same exact staff next year or B) clean house. When faced with those two options, they’ll know B is the only sensible option.

That’s the only right answer. If you keep Mayo you have to keep Covington and AVP because nobody better would ever come to coach for Mayo who has no connection to start with.

In addition no top players would ever want to come here to play for Mayo.

 

[p8ryts]

*Warning* This is a long post about my personal speculation on Mayo and Wolf's job security based on media reports, state of the team etc..

I've been thinking about how silent the Kraft's have been for the past couple of months. Especially since the mutiny within the Pats fan base and even some media are engineering against Mayo. Mostly I've been contemplating what I think that to mean.

First you have a football team full of players freely speaking their minds mostly in a non-positive manner. Second you have a head coach who might have the worst media presence I have ever seen. Third, you have now, a worse record than last year and likely the number one pick in the draft. Which says congratulations your team sucked the most in 2024.

I will focus on the the last point first. I was curious so I googled Kraft interviews and I couldn't find anything since October. One of them may have spoken to the media since then, but I was unable to find a reference to one and I don't recall one.

Since Kraft did his interview explaining why he fired Bellichick, after stating it was an amicable parting of ways. After writing this, it kinda sounds like something our Head Coach would do and say. Anyway he stated this in the interview.

“What he did for us was great. People need to adapt,” Kraft added. “People need to adapt and if they don’t, things can change. In life, it’s about getting good chemistry and trust and I feel that our record the last three or four years wasn’t what I wanted.”
Wasn't what he wanted he says. Well clearly 3-14 is not what he wants either as that is worse than any record over the last three to four years. Yet we get report after report by local and national talking heads, mostly saying Mayo is safe. But nothing from the Kraft's directly.

Now to the second point. Mayo's media presence or lack thereof. He clearly has multiple problems. We are all aware of them I am sure, but I will note them here anyway: Contradiction, Lack of Responsibility, Throwing his players and coaches under the bus, but the biggest one IMO, came this week when he statee Gibson would start. He told Zo, he told the broadcast team who made note of it and announced it during the broadcast, he subtilty told us during the week in a presser that changes will be made referencing starters and taking care of the football. Which wasn't hard to read between the lines. Rham was not going to start and would have a reduced role on Saturday.

This is starting to look and feel like a team with internal communication issues starting at the top of the staff and has since spilled onto the field and post game locker room comments from the players. There is no way in hell, if I am the Head Coach and I tell multiple people with certainty, that a player is not going to start due to ball security issues that player will be on the field for the first snap. No if and or buts. If I even see him start trotting on to the field I will be in the coordinators ass! Period! And he will be trotting right back off.

Mayo has no control over this team and that is a blatant example proving it. This can not be explained away by anyone. It was open, it was public and we all saw it. This has been visible all season by the players lack of filter in their responses to the media, but this cements it as fact not just rumor, conjecture or opinion.

The media has been asking Mayo directly about his job security for a month or so now and we get mostly the same answer. The latest one about answering it will do no good, is probably one of the best answers he has given to the media.

The lack of ownership making any statements one way or the other to me is somewhat telling. I believe all the reports from the media even the contradictory ones. And here is why.

We have all heard them, everything from they will give him time. If the team finishes strong he will be back, but maybe with some changes to the staff. If they don't finish strong everything is on the table (some annotate that everything other than Mayo).

As I said I believe them all for various reasons. First timing. I do believe at the various times of these reports the team was in different stages of suck. I do believe 100% the Kraft's were prepared to give Mayo a long leash as the rebuild took place. But IMO, and based off of Robert's own words, he did not expect to take a step back this season. And they have taken a huge step in reverse. I believe the finish strong and changes to the staff was more about the defensive side at first, when these reports started coming out a few weeks ago. Then just before the Buffalo game we heard mixed reports from Mayo is safe all the way to everything is on the table. I again believe that was intentional off the record statements from the Kraft's. I could speculate on the why but I won't because we truly don't know.

After Buffalo, things started swinging back to Mayo is definitely safe and and the staff will be overhauled. Mayo himself sort of reinforced those reports with his "we will see who we want to keep around here" for both players and coaches.

Now the debauchery that took place at one Patriot Way on Saturday brought everything full circle. I mean we had it all. Completely embarrassed at home by a team coached by someone the Kraft's could have pursued and dominated by a rookie that could have been wearing a Pats jersey, if the front office made a different choice. Questionable coaching decisions and the obligatory post game comments. All the while fans chanting "Fire Mayo". The only thing missing was a plane flying over the stadium with a banner saying fire Mayo or sell the team.

The Kraft's witnessed this with their own eyes. For all the grief they receive on here and else where they are not stupid people. They have to be aware of the fan bases sentiment and how widespread it is. They also are aware of the perfect storm this team has to set themselves up for the next decade with the right moves in free agency and the draft. They also should be aware that Wolf who isn't talked about enough or at all during these reports has not shown the ability to be the man leading this effort. I am sure they saw the poll (don't recall where it was) with something like 98% of the respondents want Mayo gone.

I believe the Kraft's silence is tactical. I also believe Robert truly does not want to fire Mayo. IMO, Robert has refrained from making a statement to give Mayo every chance he can while leaving his options open. I think the leaks were the Krafts way to let the public know where they stand. They could easily come out and state Mayo and Wolf are safe and will be back next year putting an end to all the speculation. But they haven't, and IMO that speaks volumes.

I am of the mindset that they are not fully committed one way or the other yet. I can envision them leaning towards cleaning house but giving both Mayo and Wolf a chance to give them a plan heading forward before making the final decision. Mayo for the coaching staff and Wolf for front office staff additions/subtractions, free agency and the draft.

I think Jonathan will have a heavy say in the final decision. If you remember the reports coming out last year. Bob wants to see Bellichick's contract through but Jonathan says he is done. Well, he was done. Looking at the disgust Jonathan showed in Arizona. I think at the very least Mayo will be done. I hope wolf is gone as well or at least bring in an experienced football first front office guy for him to report to.

How do you read the tea leaves and bread crumbs?

 

[FCB02062]

Mayo does not know what he's doing. He's shown zero aptitude for a head coach position all season. His gaffes are well known. He stares blankly into the distance on the sidelines. My concern is this clown comes back with his boy Covington, AVP is the fall guy, and they're sitting at 1-7, 2-8, whatever, the fans and media have their pitchforks and torches out as they march down Rt 1. Krafty ****cans Mayo so we have an interim. Then he hires someone new for the 2026 season, and as a result of these coaching maneuvers Drake Maye has 3 head coaches in 3 years and 3 offensive coordinators in 3 years. This franchise is in deep deep doo doo.

 

[everlong]

My first choice would be Ben Johnson and you bring former Patriot and assistant GM Ray Agnew with him as the GM.

My second choice is Vrabel. Knows the town, can fix the defense, etc. I'd make sure you can align the GM to him so there's a good working relationship.

My third choice is Brian Flores. He got a raw deal in Miami and I think he's going to make somebody an excellent HC. He would also come in and fix the defense.

They're in the perfect position to trade down, get a haul for #1 and do a major fast overhaul when you couple that with how much cap space they have. The time is now. If Roberts screws this up we'll waste that opportunity and all of Drake Maye's rookie deal. As much as I think Mayo needs to go the front GM and scouting department need to go more.

 

[p8ryts]

January 6 2025, clean out the house, from Wolf down through scouts and all coaches. Don't worry about being behind on the scouting. This would be an attractive job to any candidate because of the QB, high draft picks and money for free agency. Do a real vetting of candidates. Go after, Ben Johnson, Joe Brady and any one of the other touted bright minds. I still like the Flores/McKown pairing. Let Flores pick his own GM.

We give Kraft credit for picking good coaches. He's only good at driving good coaches out of town. Parcells, Petey and BB. Now that's a track record.

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

That’s the only right answer. If you keep Mayo you have to keep Covington and AVP because nobody better would ever come to coach for Mayo who has no connection to start with.

In addition no top players would ever want to come here to play for Mayo.

You are absolutely right
If they keep Mayo and fire the OC and DC then who the hell would come here that is better than AVP and Covington
It would only mean to you that when the team struggles again your gone and Mayo stays
Especially when most of the reason why you have struggles is the guy they have propped up
Needless to say….Enough is enough. Craigslist did not work for this year
Total reset

 

[Ross12]

My first choice would be Ben Johnson and you bring former Patriot and assistant GM Ray Agnew with him as the GM.

My second choice is Vrabel. Knows the town, can fix the defense, etc. I'd make sure you can align the GM to him so there's a good working relationship.

My third choice is Brian Flores. He got a raw deal in Miami and I think he's going to make somebody an excellent HC. He would also come in and fix the defense.

They're in the perfect position to trade down, get a haul for #1 and do a major fast overhaul when you couple that with how much cap space they have. The time is now. If Roberts screws this up we'll waste that opportunity and all of Drake Maye's rookie deal. As much as I think Mayo needs to go the front GM and scouting department need to go more.

When you think about it, Brian Flores is the actual guy that the Krafts thought Mayo was: young guy who ran Bill’s defensive scheme and would impart a winning culture.