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Patriots Fire Jerod Mayo After 4–13 Season; Kraft Takes Responsibility

Jan 6, 2025, 02:41 AM

The New England Patriots have fired head coach Jerod Mayo after just one season, following a disappointing 4–13 campaign. Mayo, who was the handpicked successor to Bill Belichick, was dismissed shortly after the team's 23–16 victory over the Buffalo Bills in the final game of the season—a win that cost the Patriots the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Owner Robert Kraft announced the decision and took full responsibility, stating, "This whole situation is on me. I feel terrible for Jerod because I put him in an untenable situation." Kraft also described the move as "one of the hardest decisions I have ever made" and acknowledged that the team "regressed" under Mayo's leadership. He noted that Mayo was not informed before the game that he would be fired. Kraft emphasized the need to correct course and pledged to move swiftly in hiring a new head coach. Eliot Wolf and Alonzo Highsmith will be involved in the search process, with former Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel emerging as a top candidate. The Patriots now face the task of finding their third head coach in as many seasons, aiming to rebuild after consecutive losing records.