Breer: Krafts still ‘solidly behind’ Jerod Mayo originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Robert Kraft isn’t second-guessing his decision to hire Jerod Mayo as first-year head coach despite the New England Patriots’ 2-7 start to the season.
Sunday Patriots pregame liveAlbert Breer of Sports Illustrated highlighted the Kraft family’s commitment to Mayo as the man who will lead New England in its post-Bill Belichick rebuild.
“One thing I think we have to start with is how much they invested in Jerod Mayo,” Breer said of the Krafts. “The time he was a player there and then obviously working with him outside of football and then bringing him into football operations. It’s not unlike the rise of Jason Garrett in Dallas, where the owner is really involved and invested in the development of a young coach And so, I think they knew that Jerod Mayo could be in this position a year earlier than expected and then they would have to overcome some obstacles C. That’s really where they are right now.
“My understanding is that they remain solidly behind Jerod Mayo. They have sympathy for some of the things he’s had to deal with this year, some of the noise outside. Obviously the list is what she is. But they’ve done some research over the last few weeks on how to handle a young quarterback obviously failed with Mac Jones from 2021 to 2023. … So that’s, I think, the next step. Jerod Mayo is on solid footing to be the head coach in 2025 and from there you have to continue to evolve on your quarterback plan.
The Mayo-led Patriots entered 2024 with low expectations after going 4-13 in Belichick’s final season. Mayo and Co.’s No. 1 priority this year has been the development of rookie quarterback Drake Maye, the team’s third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Maye has I looked the part through his first four NFL starts. The 22 year old already made comparisons to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen with his ability to make plays with his arms and legs. Building around Maye will be key to the Patriots’ success — and Mayo’s job security — for 2025 and beyond.
