Jerod Mayo as head coach of the Patriots was a nice approach, but it turned out to be the wrong one. Now the Patriots shouldn’t hesitate to go with a specific solution. A commentary.

The move was actually logical.

Because the story was beautiful, almost had romantic traits. With a lot of feel-good elements that they love so much in the US and in the NFL.

It was therefore understandable that Patriots owner Robert Kraft wanted to stick with Jerod Mayo and believe in this story.

Mayo was a player for the Pats under Bill Belichick from 2008 to 2015, then on the legendary coach’s coaching staff from 2019 onward.

So he learned from one of the best before taking over as head coach before the 2024 season and leading the Patriots into the post-Belichick era. But sometimes even years of apprenticeship under the greatest in the business are not enough.

That was the impression gained in Mayo’s first season as head coach. Which is why the Patriots pulled the plug immediately after Week 18 and parted ways with Mayo. “For me personally, it was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made,” Kraft said in a statement. It was a tough one, too.

New England Patriots: No settling-in period

Because usually rookie coaches in the NFL get a settling-in period, a kind of grace period that is a little longer for one franchise than for another, depending on expectations.

Even though the Patriots are spoiled by their glorious past, it was clear that Mayo did not have to make the playoffs in his first year to earn a second year. The upheaval was too profound for that.

But the hurdle was even lowered a bit in the last few weeks of the season when the word was that the Patriots should just not embarrass themselves in the rest of the program. Just please don’t become the laughing stock of the league.

Nevertheless, Mayo and his team cleared even this hurdle. It was clear not only from the 7:40 against the Chargers in Week 17 that it was not going to work without embarrassment. In Week 18, there was a victory against the Buffalo Bills, but with that, the Patriots gambled away the number one pick at the upcoming draft.

A victory at the wrong time. Somehow fitting for this year.

Because the bottom line is a disastrous season, which, in addition to the 4-13 record, can be proven with all sorts of other numbers, but for which Mayo is not exclusively responsible.

New England Patriots: a fresh start is even more difficult

Therefore, the decision against him is much less logical than the one made for him before the season. Nevertheless, the Patriots have made them like this.

Because holding on to the wrong coach can set a franchise back years as a whole, as it can a young playmaker like Drake Maye. Because coaches make personnel decisions, put together the team and set up the franchise for the future. And they significantly influence the franchise quarterback, including negatively.

If the whole thing had gone wrong for another year, a fresh start would have been even more difficult. For Kraft, it was a matter of weighing up the opportunities and risks and gauging the mood, which had clearly turned against the coach in recent weeks. Consequently, he is banking on another fresh start rather than a turnaround under Mayo, who was not yet mature enough as head coach for a franchise like the Patriots.

New England Patriots: The alternative is on the market

What spoke in favor of this restart in particular is the alternative. Mike Vrabel has been available for interviews since the turn of the year, after serving as an advisor to the Cleveland Browns.

He is said to be interested, he knows the franchise from his time as an active player (2001 to 2008), he is a Hall of Famer with the Pats, but he has long since cut the cord, has enough distance to be able to easily turn around his former employer and modernize it as needed.

With the Tennessee Titans, he proved that he can build, lead and develop a successful NFL team. The Titans made the playoffs three times in six seasons, twice winning the AFC South division title. He has managed to maximize the opportunities during his time there.

It’s not often that you find a match on the coaching market that suits both sides, and quickly. What should be clear is that Vrabel is likely to be an option for the time being for the last time this offseason.

There is no guarantee that he will bring success back to Foxboro. However, his signing would significantly increase the likelihood.

Or to put it another way: the step would be even more logical.