“That’s his choice”: Bill Belichick makes his stance clear on Robert Kraft’s decision to fire Jerod Mayo despite having long-term plans

The New England Patriots decided to fire coach Jerod Mayo on Sunday, after just one season at the helm of the franchise. The team finished with an underwhelming 4-13 record and never looked settled under Meyo.

On Tuesday, Mayo's predecessor Bill Belichick gave his opinion on why Patriots owner Robert Kraft parted ways with Mayo, despite saying that he expected Mayo to be with the franchise for the long haul.

"You know, that's his choice," Belichick said while speaking on his Let's Go podcast. "People that own the team have the choice to do whatever they want to do."

Belichick went on to explain that it was not only Kraft but also other members of the Patriots hierarchy that made the call to fire Mayo. Belichick coached the New England Patriots from 2000 to 2023 and helped them win 17 AFC East titles, along with six Super Bowls.

He left the team in January last year. After briefly serving as an analyst, Belichick returned to coaching after being hired by North Carolina last month.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft opens up on decision to fire Jerod Mayo

Jan 17, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo (L) and owner Robert Kraft pose for photos after a press conference announcing Mayo's hiring as the team's head coach - Source: Imagn

A day after the New England Patriots fired Jerod Mayo, Patriots owner Robert Kraft addressed the decision, taking the blame for the coach's fall.

“This whole situation is on me," owner Robert Kraft said to the media on Monday. "I feel terrible for Jerod because I put him in an untenable situation. I know he has all the tools as a head coach to be successful in this league."

Kraft explained why he fired Mayo despite his opinion that Mayo was HC material and said:

"He just needed more time before taking the job. In the end, I'm a fan of this team first. And now, I have to go out and find a coach who can get us back to the playoffs and hopefully championships."

Mayo played eight seasons with the Patriots and helped the team win the Super Bowl in 2015. He announced his retirement in February 2016. In 2019, Mayo rejoined the Patriots as a linebackers coach. He worked under Belichick before being named as his successor in January last year.