Report: Patriots may already have next head coach lined up
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; A New England Patriots helmet sits on the sideline during the first half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
The New England Patriots’ head coaching search may be over before it even has a chance to get going.
Reports emerged Thursday suggesting that Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo is a strong candidate to replace Bill Belichick as the Patriots’ head coach. Even before the Patriots’ farewell press conference Thursday, insider Tom E. Curran said in an appearance on NBC Sports Boston that the team has essentially already made the decision to give Mayo the job.
.@tomecurran: "The indications that I've gotten is that Jerod Mayo will be the successor to Bill [Belichick]" pic.twitter.com/39VaoBjemS
— NBC Sports Boston's Patriots Coverage (@NBCSPatriots) January 11, 2024
“The indications that I’ve gotten is Jerod Mayo will be the successor to Bill,” Curran said.
Later on Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Mayo is a “strong candidate” to replace Belichick. Interestingly, he noted that if the Patriots did decide to hire Mayo, they would be able to skip the entire hiring process, as they had already established a succession plan and communicated it to the NFL.
Sources: Jerod Mayo is a strong candidate to replace Bill Belichick & if he is the choice, the #Patriots could simply hire him. No need to go through the lengthy hiring process — they established a firm, contractual succession plan in a prior contract & communicated it to the… pic.twitter.com/xZYUgEkUuC
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 11, 2024
In other words, if Mayo is the choice, expect the Patriots to move quickly. That would be a surprise to some given the availability of one other name with deep ties to the organization.
The Patriots have liked Mayo for a long time. Last offseason, they warded off interest from other teams by openly announcing that they were working on a new contract with him. Mayo is highly regarded by owner Robert Kraft, and there have long been rumors about him being viewed as the coach-in-waiting once Belichick departed.
Mayo played for the Patriots from 2008 to 2015 and has been a member of the team’s coaching staff since 2019. The Patriots could still deviate from their succession plan, but if they stick to it, Mayo apparently will be the choice.