Sports
Robert Kraft Takes Responsibility for Jerod Mayo’s Firing After One Season
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft addressed the media on Monday, taking full responsibility for the decision to fire head coach Jerod Mayo after just one season. The Patriots finished the 2024 NFL season with a 4-13 record, leading to Mayo’s dismissal. Kraft expressed regret over the situation, acknowledging that Mayo was placed in a difficult position.
“This whole situation is on me,” Kraft said during a press conference. “I feel terrible for Jerod, because I put him in an untenable situation. I know that he has all the tools as a head coach to be successful in this league. He just needed more time before taking the job.” Kraft emphasized that the decision was made with the team’s future in mind, stating, “I’m a fan of this team first, and now I have to go out and find a coach who can get us back to the playoffs and hopefully championships.”
Mayo, who was hand-picked by Kraft to succeed Bill Belichick, had previously served as the Patriots’ linebackers coach. Despite his short tenure, Kraft expressed confidence in Mayo’s potential as a head coach, suggesting that more experience would have been beneficial. “He was a gentleman and accepted it that way,” Kraft said of his conversation with Mayo after the season finale.
The Patriots have already begun their search for a new head coach, with reports indicating that they have requested permission to speak with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, a former Patriots linebacker, is also expected to be a top candidate. Kraft confirmed that his son, team president Jonathan Kraft, along with senior personnel executive Alonzo Highsmith and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf, will be involved in the hiring process.
Kraft also addressed the impact of fan reaction on his decision, noting that chants calling for Mayo’s firing during home games played a role. “We don’t own this team; it’s owned by the fans of this region,” Kraft said. “We’re custodians of a very special asset of the community. That helps me try to make decisions.”
Meanwhile, Bill Belichick, who parted ways with the Patriots after the 2023 season, has moved on to a new role as the head football coach at the University of North Carolina. During a recent appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Belichick declined to comment extensively on the Patriots’ situation, stating, “The Patriots’ situation, honestly, I don’t have too much of a comment on that.”
As the Patriots embark on another coaching search, the focus remains on returning the franchise to its former glory. Kraft’s candid remarks underscore the challenges of maintaining success in the NFL and the weight of decisions that impact both the team and its loyal fanbase.