Just because Bill Belichick is gone doesn't mean the Patriots are done exploiting every corner of the rulebook.
New England has already finalized its succession plan, hiring former linebackers coach Jerrod Mayo after parting ways with its legendary head coach after a 24-year tenure that saw him win six Super Bowls and three more. He was nominated as his successor.
As Ian Rapoport explained on NFL Network's “Good Morning Football” on Friday, Mayo already had the clause written into his previous assistant coaching contract.
“Jerrod Mayo's contract that he signed last season … named him Bill Belichick's successor,” Rapoport said.
“What that means is that if Bill Belichick is sidelined…Jerrod Mayo will take over…a lot of the speculation outside is focused on Mike Vrabel returning to New England. …This was the norm in the building, especially with the owner, Robert Kraft.'' When he was a player here and I was covering him, we called him Jerrod Belichick. That's just because of how much of a protégé he was to Bill Belichick.
“They kept him in the building and he turned down several head coaching interviews, but the plan was just to stay. His contract says he replaces Bill Belichick. That was written.”
Mayo, 37, will be the NFL's youngest head coach. He was born one month after Sean McVay, who held that title since being hired by the Rams in 2017.
Mayo also played linebacker for the Pats from 2008 to 2015.
The succession clause the Patriots implemented is vague, but not unprecedented.
As Rapoport pointed out Thursday nightThe Colts used this contract language when Jim Caldwell replaced Tony Dungy in 2002, and the Seahawks did the same when Jim Mora replaced Mike Holmgren in 2002. used.
Most recently, the Ravens took advantage of this succession plan, with general manager Eric DeCosta taking over from longtime former manager Ozzie Newsome.
