New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has fired head coach Jerod Mayo just hours after the team’s Week 18 win over the Bills in Foxboro, making him the second one-and-done coach in Patriots franchise history. The decision comes after a disastrous season for the team, which saw them trail 23-3 to the Cardinals before scoring a late touchdown.
Mayo’s approach to the game was called into question by some on the plane ride back from Arizona, where the team lost 30-17. Instead of breaking down film with his staff, Mayo spent time playing cards with players. The incident raises questions about Mayo’s ability to prioritize coaching duties over personal relationships with players.
While Mayo is not the sole reason for the team’s poor performance, his unorthodox approach and inability to put the team first are cited as contributing factors. Kraft has taken responsibility for not putting Mayo in the best position to succeed, admitting that he didn’t have enough confidence in him after mid-season.
Kraft will now begin searching for the franchise’s 16th head coach, with former Patriots player Mike Vrabel emerging as a strong contender to take the job.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/jerod-mayo-card-game-new-england-patriots-cardinals-loss-nfl