5 Patriots On Thin Ice With Jerod Mayo as Head Coach

A new era of New England Patriots football is upon us as Bill Belichick is moving on and former Pats linebacker Jerod Mayo is getting promoted from linebackers coach to head coach. The Belichick news has been anticipated for weeks now, so this did not come as a surprise to many. With Mayo being the internal solution, one has to think this has been talked about and planned behind closed doors for some time.

Mayo is getting his first head coaching opportunity with the only franchise he has ever known in football. After an 8 year playing career and 5 years on staff in Foxboro, Robert Kraft is handing him the keys to get the organization back to its familiar winning ways.

This team has looked extremely subpar as of late. But it's also hard to replicate an almost two decade-long run with arguably the greatest quarterback-coach tandem of all-time. A downslide was expected, but not quite like this past season. The Patriots finished with a record of 4-13 and sit with the rights to the third pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Mayo has a lot of work to do and a lot of options to work with. Despite a disappointing season, this roster still has some talent and help that will be looking to stick around to help this team turn it around and get back to winning. However, there are some players and staff members that can feel the ice cracking beneath them now that a new regime is taking the reins.

1. Steve Belichick Could Be Following His Dad Out the Door

Steve Belichick has been on staff with the Patriots, under his father, for 12 years now. He has spent time as a general coaching assistant, a secondary coach, and is currently a linebacking coach. He has a relationship and experience with both coaching Mayo and working alongside Mayo. Certainly, his dad being the top dog helped get him hired, but sticking around for so long probably helped him learn and grow if he's anything like Pops.

Although the record would show otherwise, this defense was not so bad in 2023-24, they were a top-half defense in points per game allowed and top-10 in total yards allowed. They were 4th best in rushing yards per game allowed.

The defense was good, which probably helped Mayo's case for promotion. One mustthink he'll be keeping things moving with his guys and his staff, but I'm not sure Son Belichick is a part of that, given the circumstances.

I'm sure he would land on his feet and be just fine. It is widely speculated that Father Belichick's coaching career is not over, and he will not be retiring. His landing spot is still unknown, but it'd be hard to believe we have seen the end of him. You'd have to think he'd bring his son with him and have him on staff doing something wherever he goes.