There's still life for the Patriots head coach, even if Gillette Stadium sucks the life out of him.
On Saturday, chants of “Fire Mayo” rained down as the Patriots fell to 3-13 on the season. But despite the 40-7 blowout loss and the peanut gallery having a lot to say about it, New England's first-year head coach still has his followers in the locker room.
AP
“I think [Mayo’s] They've done a great job of keeping us motivated and prepared and keeping us on target every week,” defensive lineman Dietrich Wise Jr. said after Saturday's loss to the Chargers. . Per ESPN.
The veteran continued: “I don't think he should be fired right now. A lot of coaches get off to tough starts, but there are coaches who are OK right now and in the playoffs. I feel like we need to continue to believe in our coaches. , he will find a way to make everything right next year.”
Cheers in the locker room are also welcome. But of course, the most important opinion doesn't belong to the person wearing a Gillette jersey, either on the field or in the stands.
Robert Kraft always intended for Mayo to succeed Bill Belichick at the helm, and that intention was literally written into his coaching contract. According to NFL Network, Kraft is expected to give Mayo one more season to prove himself.
Wise's sentiments were echoed by many of his teammates, including veteran defensive tackle Davon Godchaux.
“He's still in his first season, but he's not going to be golden,” Godchaux said. “I didn’t expect to win the Super Bowl this year. I get that, no one wants to lose 40-7, but. [fire Mayo] The chanting is strange. ”
Despite the abominable record, there were signs of life. The upset against the Bengals in Week 1. Despite a near-upset against the Buffalo Bills in Week 16, the Patriots appear to have at least some of the foundations in place.
Rookie quarterback Drake Maye, the Patriots' third overall pick in 2024, seems like the real deal. Despite the lack of stability and talent surrounding him, the UNC graduate shows real promise.
However, many holes still remain. And while the Patriots have the capital to fill them in cap and draft terms, their track record is less than exemplary.
Outside of Maye, the 2024 draft class was not exactly exciting.
In terms of free agency, Mayo and Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Elliott Wolff don't have much to say.
But all is not lost. Far from it. New England has $131 million worth of cap space, the most in the league. According to OverTheCap.comAnd after Sunday's results, the team now owns the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft.
If Mayo returns next season, the strings will be shorter — missing out on that pick could end his year before it even begins.
