After Belichick’s departure, things are moving very quickly when it comes to finding a new Patriots head coach. Most likely thanks to a clause in the contract of an assistant coach.

Who will be the new head coach? A question that countless NFL teams have to deal with year after year. One franchise, however, had no experience with this issue for well over two decades: the New England Patriots.

For 24 years, Foxborough had one thing above all else when it came to head coaches – consistency. Bill Belichick shaped the organization with his methods and, together with quarterback Tom Brady, drove to six Super Bowl victories.

But that is now over. After another extremely disappointing season, the Patriots have drawn a line under the Belichick chapter. What happens now?

Even before the franchise had announced its final decision, countless rumors about possible successors were circulating in the US media. At the forefront: Mike Vrabel. The head coach, who was surprisingly relieved of his duties by the Tennessee Titans, seemed to be a perfect fit – after all, he won the NFL final three times as a player under Belichick.

A little more than 24 hours later, however, there is clarity: Jerod Mayo, linebackers coach in Belichick’s coaching team for the past few years, will take over the heavy legacy of the franchise legend.

Belichick signed Mayo

2019 Mayo was hired by Belichick as a coach and has since developed into one of the most trusted assistants, working specifically on game plans on defense.

The 37-year-old is set to be introduced at a press conference next week. The Patriots surprise with their extraordinarily quick decision – but how is that possible?

The background to this is that the Patriots “stipulated a fixed, contractual succession plan in a previous contract”. It was not previously known that there was such a clause in Mayo’s contract.

Jerod Mayo: New England circumvents the Rooney Rule

For the Patriots, signing Mayo has a decisive advantage: the Rooney Rule could be circumvented.

Introduced in 2003, this rule states that teams must interview at least two minority coaching candidates when they have a coaching vacancy. The original aim was to ensure more equality in the allocation of jobs.

But: The terms of the Rooney Rule and the requirements of the NFL’s anti-tampering policy allow teams to bypass the usual interview process if they prepare a written succession plan and communicate it to the league before the start of the season. This is what the Patriots reportedly did with regard to Mayo.

Mayo impressed as a Patriots linebacker

New England wouldn’t be the first franchise to take advantage of this opportunity. Ravens GM Eric DeCosta, former Colts coach Jim Caldwell and ex-Seahawks coach Jim Mora Jr. among others got their jobs this way.

Whether the Patriots’ clever move pays off will only become clear in September at the earliest. Because despite the “stable smell” that is often appreciated in the sports world, which Mayo clearly brings with him, he too will be measured by results at the end of the day.

By the way: Jerod Mayo also has a past as a Patriots player. In 2008, he was selected by Belichick at number ten in the draft and promptly won the title of “Defensive Rookie of the Year”. The linebacker quickly developed into a leading personality in the team and was named captain in his second year.

Jerod Mayo succeeds Bill Belichick: Clever move or own goal?

In 2014, he celebrated a Super Bowl victory with the Patriots against the Seattle Seahawks before ending his career a year later.

Now the former linebacker has become a head coach. A clever move that saves the franchise time and a lengthy interview process with potential candidates.

Whether the approach of owner Robert Kraft and his son Jonathan will pay off remains to be seen in the coming months.

One thing at least is already certain: the shoes that Jerod Mayo now has to fill could hardly be bigger