‘Succession plan’: Contract clause could fast-track Jerod Mayo to be Patriots coach, report says
ByBryan Lambert, Boston 25 News Staff
ByBryan Lambert, Boston 25 News Staff
FOXBORO, Mass — The New England Patriots can avoid the traditional, extensive hiring process for a new head coach in the wake of Bill Belichick’s departure, according to a new report by an NFL insider.
A clause written into the contract language of a prior deal for linebackers coach Jerod Mayo opens the path for the former player to become the team’s next head coach, according to Ian Rapoport.
Simply, the #Patriots created a succession plan -- Jerod Mayo.
“No need to go through the lengthy hiring process -- they established a firm, contractual succession plan in a prior contract & communicated it to the NFL,” writes Rapoport.
Normally, a hiring club would have to request interviews with several candidates while satisfying the NFL’s Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview two minority candidates or women for a coaching vacancy.
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New England Patriots coaches Steve Belichick, left, and Jerod Mayo, right, against Jacksonville Jaguars during an NFL football game against the Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Paul Connors) (Paul Connors/AP)
Kansas City Chiefs v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 17: New England Patriots linebacker coach Jerod Mayo walks off the field after his team's 27-17 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Pstriots Mayo Football FILE - New England Patriots Jerod Mayo (51) looks over the line of scrimmage against the New York Giants at Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in Indianapolis. The New England Patriots have agreed to hire Jerod Mayo to succeed Bill Belichick as their next head coach, according to a person familiar with the situation. Details were still being worked out on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, according to the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team hasn't announced the decision. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan, File) (Gregory Payan/AP)
Patriots Mayo Football FILE - Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) blocks New England Patriots middle linebacker Jerod Mayo (51) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, in Foxborough, Mass. The New England Patriots have agreed to hire Jerod Mayo to succeed Bill Belichick as their next head coach, according to a person familiar with the situation. Details were still being worked out on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, according to the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team hasn't announced the decision. (AP Photo/Stew Milne) (Stew Milne/AP)
Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots looks on against the Denver Broncos during their AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 14, 2012, in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
Jerod Mayo FILE -New England Patriots inside linebacker coach Jerod Mayo watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. Whether Bill Belichick’s future as the New England Patriots head coach will extend beyond this season remains an open question. But Jerod Mayo, one of the candidates to possibly succeed the legendary coach reiterated on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024 that he believes he’s ready for an opportunity to lead an NFL team. (AP Photo/Stew Milne, File) (Stew Milne/AP)
Patriots Mayo Football FILE - New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo faces reporters, Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, at the NFL football team's stadium, in Foxborough, Mass. The New England Patriots have agreed to hire Jerod Mayo to succeed Bill Belichick as their next head coach, according to a person familiar with the situation. Details were still being worked out on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, according to the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team hasn't announced the decision. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) (Steven Senne/AP)
Patriots Mayo Football FILE -New England Patriots outside linebacker Jerod Mayo (51) warms up on the field before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct.13, 2013, in Foxborough, Mass. The New England Patriots have agreed to hire Jerod Mayo to succeed Bill Belichick as their next head coach, according to a person familiar with the situation. Details were still being worked out on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, according to the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team hasn't announced the decision. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) (Steven Senne/AP)
New England Patriots v Miami Dolphins MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 09: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo talk on the sidelines in the fourth quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) (Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Arizona Cardinals v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 29: Josh Uche #53 of the New England Patriots talks with inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 22: New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo looks on before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
New England Patriots v Miami Dolphins MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 09: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo talk on the sidelines in the first quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Washington Commanders v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 05: Linebackers coach Jerod Mayo looks on during the game against the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Kansas City Chiefs v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 17: New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo looks on from the sideline next to head coach Bill Belichik during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
New England Patriots v Arizona Cardinals GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 12: Coach Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots during the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on December 12, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 27-13. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Part of the Rooney Rule stipulates that teams can make a promotion without conducting any interviews if the candidate in question has already been labeled as the coach or executive in waiting.
There is precedent for the move. As Rapoport points out, the Baltimore Ravens did not have to undergo the full hiring process when Eric DeCosta took over for Ozzie Newsome in 2018. Similar cases include Jim Caldwell succeeding Tony Dungy as Indianapolis Colts head coach and when Jim Mora Jr. supplanted Mike Holmgren as Seattle Seahawks head coach.
Despite the contract language, there is no guarantee Mayo is tracing Belichick’s footsteps on the Patriots’ sideline next year and other options like former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel and former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores are still on the table.
“We are looking for someone who can get us back to the playoffs and win,” Kraft said. “I’m very upset when we don’t win games and it carries the whole week. I promise you, our family will be dedicated to doing the best we can do to bring a winning team back.”
Mayo was signed to a contract extension before the 2023 season.
Mayo, 37, was drafted by the Patriots in the first round of the 2008 draft and began his coaching career as inside linebackers coach with New England in 2019.
In 103 career games with the Patriots, Mayo earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, one Super Bowl ring, and he racked up 802 total tackles and 11 sacks.
Mayo has a clear understanding of the Patriots’ defense, which was a bright spot for the team during their dismal 4-13 season.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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