Jerod Mayo's Tenure as Patriots Head Coach Ends After Just One Season

The New England Patriots have fired head coach Jerod Mayo after just one season, following a 4-13 record and struggles on both offense and defense.

The New England Patriots have parted ways with head coach Jerod Mayo, terminating his contract just one season into his tenure. The decision came on the heels of the Patriots' 23-16 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Mayo, 38, had been at the helm of the Patriots for just one season, and his tenure was marked by a disappointing 4-13 record, mirroring the team's performance from the previous season. As a result, Mayo will now be seeking new opportunities in the coaching world.

“After the game today, I informed Jerod Mayo that he will not be returning as the head coach of the New England Patriots in 2025. For me, personally, this was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. I have known Jerod for 17 years. He earned my respect and admiration as a rookie in 2008 and throughout his career for his play on the field, his leadership in the locker room and the way he conducted himself in our community. When he joined our coaching staff, his leadership was even more evident, as I saw how the players responded to him. When other teams started requesting to interview him, I feared I would lose him and committed to making him our next head coach. Winning our season-opener on the road at Cincinnati only strengthened my convictions. Unfortunately, the trajectory of our team's performances throughout the season did not ascend as I had hoped.”

Jerod Mayo's coaching tenure with the New England Patriots was preceded by a successful eight-year playing career with the team, during which he earned All-Pro honors as a linebacker. Mayo's transition to head coach occurred in the 2024 offseason, when he was hired to succeed the legendary Bill Belichick.

Mayo's inaugural season as head coach was marked by struggles on both sides of the ball, with the Patriots finishing the season with the 30th-ranked offense and the 25th-ranked defense. The team's performance had significant implications for the 2025 NFL Draft, as a loss on Sunday would have secured the number one overall pick. Instead, the Patriots will draft fourth, behind the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants.