What Exactly Did the Patriots Promise Jerod Mayo?

On January 12th, the New England Patriots official Twitter account posted: “Patriots to extend Jerod Mayo; Will begin interviewing for an offensive coordinator.” For any other NFL organization, this post might have appeared insignificant, but for the New England Patriots, who have traditionally operated in such a clandestine manner, the statement raised quite a few eyebrows.

Only four days earlier, the Patriots postseason hopes had been dashed with a 35-23 loss to Buffalo in their final regular season game. After the loss in Orchard Park, New England sat with a 25-25 record in the three seasons since the departure of franchise icon Tom Brady. With some uneasiness from a fanbase that had grown accustomed to booking the AFC Championship game without hesitation for so many years, owner Bob Kraft stated an intention of increased transparency going forward.

On the surface, this statement could have been chalked up to this supposed new-age transparency, but as questions began to be asked about Jerod Mayo’s future with the organization, the situation unexpectedly became foggier.

Mayo is an eight-year NFL veteran at linebacker, all with New England. He had been drafted with the tenth overall pick out of the University of Tennessee in 2008. From his draft day, stories of Mayo’s work ethic became the stuff of legends, as told in Michael Holley’s War Room. On the day of the 2008 NFL Draft, Mayo was nowhere to be found at Radio City Music Hall. Instead of attending the NFL Draft in a flashy custom draft-themed, tailored suit, he opted to stay home with his family in Virginia, raking leaves. In his first season, Mayo earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Mayo announced his retirement in 2016, capping a distinguished career that included first-team All-Pro honors in 2010, two Pro Bowl selections, and leading the league in tackles in 2010. Mayo’s ties to Foxborough were strengthened even further when he was selected to the Patriots All-2010s team. His first in, last out work ethic reputation captured the respect of his teammates and was custom-made for a coaching opportunity down the road.

Days after the Buffalo loss to end the 2022 season, Mayo had been linked to both the Carolina Panthers head coaching position, as well as the defensive coordinator job with the Cleveland Browns. Once the Patriots had announced Mayo’s extension, he declined to interview for those two opportunities.

Speaking after the announcement of his extension, many of Mayo’s quotes appear to paint the picture of a coach being groomed for bigger and better things. There was speculation immediately upon the Patriots’ announcement that the Kraft’s had promised Mayo the head coaching position upon Bill Belichick’s departure and would be groomed for the position accordingly. Speaking after his extension, Mayo declared: “I’m confident in the plan they have put together for my development.” Well, his development for what? Developing him to be the next head coach of the New England Patriots would certainly answer that question.

Mayo has not been shy about expressing his NFL head-coaching aspirations. When asked if he still aims to be a head coach (in New England or otherwise), Mayo answered “Absolutely, 100%”. If Mayo’s aspirations to head coach are so resolute, why would he turn down a head coaching interview? If the Patriots did in fact promise him the future head coaching position, that would certainly explain his decision to decline those interviews.

Appearing on NBC Sports Boston’s Sports Sunday, nine-year Patriots veteran and three-time Super Bowl champion Ted Johnson was asked if the extension solidified Mayo as the heir-apparent at head coach. "I don't know how he couldn't be," Johnson answered. "As far as I know, the relationship he has with the Krafts and everything…everything I've heard about Jerod Mayo is glowing.” Johnson continued, "That, to me, has to be on the table. I don't know how you negotiate that, I don't know how you put it in writing. But if I'm Jerod Mayo…I would want something in writing. Not just a verbal promise, but something in writing that assures me I could be the next head coach after Bill retires."

Every report about Mayo’s expanded role assuredly points to a coach that the Patriots expect to be in Foxborough for many years to come. In post-extension comments, Mayo gave some additional insight into what his new role might entail, “it’s not only talking to Bill, it’s also talking to the scouts, the cap guys, the researchers. I have a lot to learn and that’s another reason why I wanted to be here because I feel like we do it right.” Talking to scouts, salary cap experts, and researchers doesn’t sound like a man making a small jump from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator (when Mayo was reportedly already calling defensive plays). That sounds like a man with his eyes on a much greater role, a vision that appears to be mutual with the organization.

Mayo was also reportedly granted a voice in the team’s search and interviews for a new offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. Per The Athletic’s Chad Graff, Mayo was expected to “be a sounding board for Belichick during every important aspect of the offseason, including deciding whom to hire on the staff and whom to pursue in free agency.” This increased input would again suggest a development program of sorts.

Two major questions emerge from the existing report on Jerod Mayo and the “agreements” made between him and the organization.

Question one: Did the Patriots put anything in writing to Mayo? If so, and they have changed their mind, they may have backed themselves into a disastrous corner. Owner Robert Kraft has always had rabbit ears about perception of his team, both within NFL circles and publicly. Even if the agreement was verbal, back-tracking on that handshake agreement will undoubtedly not sit well within the coaching fraternity.

If the Patriots put the agreement in writing, then oh boy. There may not be any recourse for them, especially with coach Brian Flores’ federal civil lawsuit against the NFL hanging over the league. Flores is suing the league and three teams, alleging that the league is “rife with racism” and racial discrimination in the hiring practices for head coaching positions.

In March, Federal Judge Valerie Caproni ruled that Flores’ lawsuit can proceed to trial. In her decision, Judge Caproni noted that the league’s “long history of systematic discrimination toward Black players, coaches, and managers – are incredibly troubling.” Both the NFL and the Patriots’ organization will not be ignorant to the optics of recanting on a written agreement to promote an African-American assistant coach to head coach.

Question two: Is Jerod Mayo the right man for this job? If the Patriots continue to lose games and have any intention of “cleaning house”, then is someone who has been so heavily influenced by Bill Belichick’s philosophy the best fit? Especially, if the Patriots’ lack of success is heavily attributed to Belichick’s archaic approach to a quickly adapting offensive modern game, then ownership might decide that a Belichick-mentored coach with a defensive background is not the best fit to lead the organization forward.

This scenario seems unlikely. Kraft’s willingness to “clean house” would seem uncharacteristic of him, and hiring Mayo as head coach and retaining Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator as two familiar faces within the organization seems more in line with Kraft’s operation. Reports are that Kraft wants an “elegant solution” with Bill Belichick that would fall more along the lines of a “mutual parting” phrasing after the season rather than in-season firing bombshell. As mentioned before, Kraft has always presented as uber-sensitive about the organization’s perception, and elevating Mayo to head coach would portray the organization as one that held an effective, forward-thinking transition plan, rather than one perceived to be in turmoil.

By all accounts, Mayo is well-respected, a leader of men, and possesses the professionalism and ability to right the ship that will be all-so-integral in the wake of Bill Belichick’s departure. There are indisputably much worse candidates to have leading in that situation. Jerod Mayo will be a head coach in this league at some point, and very well might be an incredibly successful head coach. But with each passing game, Bill Belichick’s time on the Patriots sideline seems to be slowly fading away. Eventually, New England will need to reveal what agreements were made behind closed doors, and that day may be coming sooner than even they expected. Maybe, just maybe, Mayo’s dream will come true in only a few months.