Breaking: Patriots Shock NFL With Mayo Firing: New England Axes Head Coach After Just One Season
The New England Patriots made the decision to fire their first-year Head Coach Jerod Mayo. Mayo was a former Patriot and was hand-picked as the successor to Bill Belichick.
This move came as a surprise to many, especially as it was his first year in an expected rebuilding season for the Patriots. They had just come off a 4-13 record last season, and landed Drake Maye with the 3rd Overall Pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. They also matched him up with Ja’Lynn Polk, who the Patriots drafted early in the second round.
Mayo started off the year starting veteran Jacoby Brissett, but ultimately made the switch to Drake Maye in Week 6 after starting the season 1-4. Maye took a little bit to get going, but showed a lot of potential as the season progressed. Despite continuing their losing ways, it appeared that if the Patriots could build around Maye he would be their future starter.
As the season progressed and they continued piling on losses, they ended up losing badly to the Chargers in Week 17 and holding the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Many thought they would lose to the Bills and take this pick, but the opposite happened.
Joe Milton, a rookie from Tennessee, got the nod after Maye took the opening drive, and Milton capitalized on his chance but cost the team the top pick.
