Foxborough, MA - The New England Patriots are making a coaching change.
After three consecutive losing seasons, head coach Jerod Mayo has been relieved of his duties. His run with the Patriots began with promise but ended in disappointment, punctuated by a stunning collapse in Season 32.
Mayo took over the team in Season 30, posting back-to-back 7-10 campaigns in his first two years. But it was this most recent season - his third - that sealed his fate. New England started 5-0, including wins over the Bengals, Lions, Bills, Bears, and Vikings. After a loss to the Dolphins, they bounced back with another win in Week 8 to move to 6-1. At that point, the Patriots looked like a serious contender in the AFC.
Then, the wheels fell off.
New England dropped eight of their final nine games, including blowout losses to the Chargers (31-13), Colts (45-13), and Dolphins (31-13). They also dropped three divisional games in that stretch and were eliminated from playoff contention by Week 14. The Patriots finished the year 6-11, slipping to the bottom of the division and ending Mayo's time with a combined 20-31 record over three seasons.
A Short Tenure, A Sudden Decline
Mayo brought energy, discipline, and strong leadership to a team trying to find its identity post-Nguyen. But ultimately, the results never followed. His teams never reached the postseason, never finished above .500, and too often fell apart late in the year - none more dramatically than this season's collapse.
While Mayo had early success in Season 32, it wasn't enough to offset the larger trend. The team's offensive inconsistency and defensive breakdowns were too much to overcome, and for the second time in three years, the Patriots finished last in the division.
Who could the Patriots hire as their next head coach?
With Jerod Mayo out, the Patriots are expected to explore multiple options for their next head coach - and there's no shortage of candidates.
One name already circulating is Mike Vrabel, the former Titans head coach and a respected figure within the Patriots' history. Vrabel has deep ties to the organization and brings a no-nonsense, defensive-minded approach that would resonate with ownership and fans alike.
Another potential target is Ben Johnson, the highly regarded offensive coordinator who has drawn interest from several teams in recent seasons. Known for his creativity and quarterback development, Johnson could offer a much-needed offensive reset in New England.
If the team decides to go the route of grooming a young rising star, names like Bobby Slowik and Eric Bieniemy could enter the mix. Both have served as top offensive minds and would represent a philosophical shift from the team's more defensive tradition under Mayo.
Of course, internal promotions and unexpected names always emerge, but with back-to-back losing seasons and no playoff berth in three years, the pressure is on in Foxborough. Whoever takes over will be tasked with restoring one of the league's proudest franchises to relevance in the ever-competitive 2K Online Franchise league.
