As many people have expected for a little while, the New England Patriots have parted ways with longtime head coach Bill Belichick.
It ended an amazing 24-year run for him at the helm of the Patriots, during which he guided them to six Super Bowl championships and became arguably the greatest coach in league history.
One has to expect Belichick to be on the sidelines for another team this September, and he has instantly become one of the hottest coaching candidates in the league, along with Mike Vrabel and Jim Harbaugh.
While some have linked Vrabel to the Patriots, Ian Rapoport tweeted that the team’s succession plan could be to hire Jerod Mayo.
Simply, the #Patriots created a succession plan — Jerod Mayo.
There is precedent: The #Ravens did it with GM Eric DeCosta, the #Colts did it with Jim Caldwell, and the #Seahawks did it with Jim Mora. https://t.co/4mnZriuQVE
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2024
Mayo has been an inside linebackers coach for New England over the last few years, and he may not exactly be the sexy hire New England fans are hoping for.
However, the team is years away from being competitive again, and perhaps going with a young, developing coach may not be the worst idea.
Mayo, the No. 10 pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, played eight seasons in the league, all of them with the Patriots, and he was named to the Pro Bowl twice.
While he played in the Super Bowl once, he suffered a season-ending injury midway through the 2014 season and had to watch as the Patriots won the world title over the Seattle Seahawks that winter.
Mayo also earned a sterling reputation for being very dedicated to his craft, and if he has the acumen and leadership skills to be a head coach, that work ethic and dedication could take him far.
NEXT:
Julian Edelman Shares Video Tribute For Bill Belichick
