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Reported Patriots Coach Firing Possibly Not Happening After All

By Cem Yolbulan

Jan 5, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) and quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) warm up before the start of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Jan 5, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) and quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) warm up before the start of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images / David Butler II-Imagn Images
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It was a frustrating end to a deeply frustrating season for the New England Patriots. By beating the Buffalo Bills in Week 18, the Patriots cost themselves the No. 1 overall pick on Sunday, moving down to fourth in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Following the game, the New England Patriots made the surprising move to fire head coach Jerod Mayo after just one season with the team. Considering the results, maybe the firing shouldn't have been too surprising but the previous reporting suggested that he had job security heading into the offseason.

Perhaps even more surprising has been the status of offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. He was considered to be on the hot seat and presumably the first in line to get fired after Week 18. There was reporting on Sunday that the Patriots were moving on from Van Pelt. However, reports were denied on Monday morning by multiple Patriots writers, including Mark Daniels and Andrew Callahan.

Patriots News: Alex Van Pelt Still Has His Job

As things stand now, only Jerod Mayo has been fired. GM Eliot Wolf and the rest of the coaching staff, including Van Pelt, seem to be holding onto their positions, at least for now.

Moving on from Mayo but retaining both of the coordinators would certainly be surprising. Defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington is considered to be Mayo's guy and after the defense taking a big step back in 2024, it's hard to see why the new head coach would want to retain him.

Van Pelt is in a similar situation. The Patriots had one of the worst offenses in the league, admittedly with little talent and depth. Whoever is the next head coach in Foxborough will presumably want to bring in an offensive coordinator they are more familiar with. Yet, Van Pelt could also stick around, possibly as a QB coach, if the new HC values his experience with that position.

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