"Verbal missteps" reportedly played big role in Robert Kraft's decision to fire Jerod Mayo

On Monday, the New England Patriots shocked the NFL world by firing Jerod Mayo after a single season. His media interactions played a significant role in his downfall, according to The Athletic.

The Patriots announced Mayo's dismissal following a 4-13 season. His brief tenure started with an unexpected victory over the Cincinnati Bengals but ended with a win against the Buffalo Bills that cost the team the No. 1 draft pick.

"But as the verbal missteps continued, it became ever more obvious Mayo lacked the proper amount of training to be a head coach in the NFL," The Athletic reported on Monday.

His press conferences and media appearances reportedly "ranged from contradictory and uncomfortable to one unfortunate instance that had a whiff of old-fashioned buck-passing."

The coach's struggles with media management surfaced early. He drew attention by calling 83-year-old Patriots owner Robert Kraft "Young Thundercat" and "Thunder," explaining that he possessed a "young soul."

Mayo's communication regarding personnel decisions proved equally problematic. He publicly declared that Drake Maye had outperformed Jacoby Brissett in camp, then named Brissett the starter. Before Week 17, he announced Antonio Gibson would start over Rhamondre Stevenson; however, Stevenson took the first carry.

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The defense, Jerod Mayo's area of expertise as both player and assistant coach, showed concerning regression. The unit entered the season finale with just 12 takeaways and ranked last in NFL quarterback contacts, according to ESPN Research.

Mayo's pattern of walking back statements undermined his leadership. After promising to "burn some cash" in free agency, he retreated when New England's spending remained modest. Following an October loss to Jacksonville, he labeled his team "soft," later clarifying he meant they were "playing soft."

"I'm still learning how these things work," Mayo admitted in December, as per The Athletic, after clarifying comments some viewed as a criticism of New England offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who had inserted a succession clause in Mayo's contract to secure him as Belichick's replacement, expressed his disappointment.

"Unfortunately, the trajectory of our team's performances throughout the season did not ascend as I had hoped," Kraft said in a statement on Monday.

The Patriots haven't celebrated a playoff victory since winning the Super Bowl in February 2019. Mayo joins nine other noninterim head coaches from the past decade who didn't survive their first season. This includes Frank Reich (Panthers, 2023) and Nathaniel Hackett (Broncos, 2022).

The team is now expected to interview former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel as they search for their 16th head coach in franchise history.