Chowder and Champions
Fansided

3 Jerod Mayo Replacements Patriots Must Consider After Terrible 2024 Season

If the Patriots move on from Jerod Mayo after one year, here are a few head coaching candidates they should consider.

By Jovan Alford

Dec 28, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo talks with an official from the sideline as they take on the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium.
Dec 28, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo talks with an official from the sideline as they take on the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium. / David Butler II-Imagn Images
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next

2. Brian Flores

If the Patriots want to go with another defensive guy, Flores could be an underrated replacement for Mayo.

The 43-year-old Flores has been the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings for the last two years after being the Miami Dolphins head coach for three years (2019-2021). Patriots fans are familiar with Flores, who spent 15 years in Foxborough.

Flores held various roles with the Patriots including scouting assistant, pro scout, special teams assistant, asst. offense/special teams coach, safeties, and linebackers coach. The former Miami head coach has done wonders in Minnesota this season and has helped the Vikings win 14-plus games.

Heading into Week 18, the Vikings’ defense is tied for third in sacks (47) with Houston and has the second-best run defense (88.1 yards per game allowed).

The Patriots’ defense has struggled to stop the run this season (131.4 yards per game) and hasn’t generated much pressure (28 sacks, 32nd in the NFL). Flores would immediately solve those issues and likely turn this team into a top-15 or top-20 unit, which would be a massive improvement.

After things didn’t work out in Miami, Flores is due for his next head coaching opportunity. In his two years as a defensive coordinator with the Vikings, he’s shown that he can lead a unit and have them play at a high level.

The Patriots would be a work in progress as they are rebuilding with a rookie QB (Drake Maye). However, despite the issues on offense and defense, the Pats have several young pieces that Flores or any new coach can work with.

Home/New England Patriots