New England Patriots start search for new head coach after Jerod Mayo firing

FOXBORO, Mass. — Jerod Mayo is one and done with the Patriots.

After just one season, the team parted ways with the head coach following Sunday’s season-ending victory over the Buffalo Bills, which caused the team to lose their number one pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

For the third time in three years, the Patriots will have a new head coach. They are also searching for a new offensive coordinator as they also fired Alex Van Pelt.

They’ll also have to settle for the fourth pick in the draft after their win yesterday. Right after the game, Mayo spoke in his final press conference. The announcement of his firing didn’t come until after, but you could tell from the way he addressed the media that he knew what was coming.

“Just there in the locker room, pretty emotional but at the same time these guys have been turning the page, ignoring the noise and just coming to work and I’m appreciative of that,” Mayo said. “Told them after the first win of the season, coaches are nothing without the players and I just told them that again and I appreciate all the effort.”

Patriots owner Robert Kraft released a statement saying it was one of the hardest decisions he’s ever made since he’s known Mayo for 17 years since the start of his career as a player.

“We have tremendous fans who expect and deserve a better product than we have delivered in recent years. I apologize for that. I have given much thought and consideration as to what actions I can take to expedite our return to championship contention and determined this move was the best option at this time,” Kraft stated.

Speaking of championships, one of the names being tossed around as the team’s next potential head coach is Mayo’s former teammate, Mike Vrabel. Vrabel spent the bulk of his playing career with the Patriots, winning three Super Bowls, and was just inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2023.

Vrabel’s only head coaching job was with the Tennessee Titans. While there, he went 2-1 versus the Patriots and Bill Belichick, including the Titans playoff win in Tom Brady’s final game with New England.

When Vrabel was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame, he told fans not to take all the winning for granted and said Gillette Stadium was a special place with great leadership and direction.

If Kraft wants Vrabel, he’ll have to move quickly since their rivals in the AFC East, the New York Jets, already interviewed Vrabel.

Kraft is expected to address the media at 1 p.m. on Monday.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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