FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — New England Patriots agree to hire. Jerrod Mayo He is set to become the team's first black head coach, replacing Bill Belichick, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Details were still being worked out Friday, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the team had not announced the decision. Mayo played eight seasons in the NFL and earned a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots during the 2014 season.
Mayo's hiring comes a day after Belichick's agreed to break up After 24 years of success, including six Super Bowl championships, he joined the Patriots.
After the Patriots took the unique step of announcing last offseason that they would give Belichick's aide a long-term contract extension, Mayo quickly rose to the top of Belichick's list of possible successors. Mayo, along with Belichick's son and linebackers coach Steve Belichick, handled play-calling duties for the Patriots defense over the past two seasons.
Jerrod Mayo of the New England Patriots during an NFL game at State Farm Stadium on December 12, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 27-13. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
New England is 4-13 this season, but despite losing top linebacker Matt Judon and rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez early to season-ending injuries, the team's defense has struggled with some It maintains a high ranking in its category.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft promised to move quickly to fill the void when announcing his parting ways with Belichick on Thursday.
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on during warm-ups before Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Kraft said his mission to the next coach is to get a Patriots team back to the postseason that has missed the playoffs in three of the past four seasons and hasn't won a playoff game since the 2018 season.
“We're looking for players who can help us get back into the playoffs and help us win,” Craft said. “Believe me, next to my family, this is one of the two most important possessions in my life. I get very frustrated when I don't win games. It lasts all week. We are committed to focusing on doing what we do best to ensure that we are in the best long-term position to win for years to come.”
