Patriots Fire Coaches Mayo and Van Pelt After Losing No. 1 Pick; Vrabel Favored as Successor

Jan 5, 2025, 10:45 PM

The New England Patriots have fired head coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt after one season following a 4-13 record. The decision came shortly after the team's victory over the Buffalo Bills in Week 18, a win that cost the Patriots the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, now held by the Tennessee Titans. Rob Gronkowski criticized the firing, calling it unfair. Speculation is mounting that former Patriots linebacker and former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel is the leading candidate to replace Mayo, with reports indicating he has assistants prepared to join him. Vrabel recently interviewed with the New York Jets, but his interest is believed to have been a tactic to pressure the Patriots into making a move. The Patriots' front office, including EVP Eliot Wolf, remains intact. With a franchise quarterback in Drake Maye, over $130 million in cap space, and the No. 4 overall draft pick, the Patriots' head coaching position is considered highly attractive. Questions have arisen about Mayo's readiness for the role, and the swift decision to fire him suggests owner Robert Kraft has a specific successor in mind, likely Vrabel.