The New England Patriots are currently slated to pick #1 in the NFL Draft, but Jerod Mayo will still be coaching for wins. The Patriots hold a 3-13 record with one of the weakest rosters in the NFL, but with the Buffalo Bills resting players in Week 18, New England could win and play themselves out of the first overall pick. Jerod Mayo has been under constant fire from Patriots fans all season, with a large portion of the fanbase wanting him gone. With a win this week, Mayo could keep his job as head coach, but it would cost the Patriots the #1 pick in the draft.
Jerod Mayo’s Unsuccessful Season
Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat And Chronicle
Jerod Mayo’s first season as the New England Patriots‘ head coach has not been successful. He has had numerous errors in game management, often being too conservative. The decisions have not been backbreaking but have been noticeable in losses. Against the Buffalo Bills. Mayo elected to punt the ball away in the fourth quarter, wasting time during a potential comeback. After a last second touchdown, Mayo chose not to go for two, and the Patriots lost in overtime. None of these decisions have outright lost New England games, but fans have noticed it throughout the season.
There was also a situation earlier this season where Jerod Mayo called his players soft in a press conference. There have been little blunders like this throughout the season, where there appears to be a clear disconnect between Mayo and the fanbase. While Bill Belichick was notoriously short and concise in his press conferences, Mayo has made odd comments or statements multiple times during his first season. Obviously, press conference comments are not a huge indicator of coaching ability, but again, it was little things that Patriots fans noticed.
The fans have been increasingly fed up with Jerod Mayo as the Patriots lost more and more games. Last week in a home game, the Patriots were blown out by the Los Angeles Chargers, and the fans let Mayo hear it. By the end of the game, New England fans were booing and chanting to fire Mayo. The New England Patriots fans are used to the success of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, so Mayo’s lack of success has upset portions of the fanbase. The front office in New England seems to like Jerod Mayo, but the fanbase is not satisfied.
Jerod Mayo’s Coaching
Jerod Mayo’s coaching style has been questionable in his debut season. Under Bill Belichick, Mayo was a linebackers coach, so many Patriots fans believed that the defense would stay solid with Mayo as the head coach. But this season, the New England defense has been worse despite keeping mostly the same roster. On offense, the Patriots offensive coordinator, Alex Van Pelt, is in charge. Van Pelt calls the plays and handles the offensive scheme. But Van Pelt has not won over Patriots fans either. Fans have been unhappy with the play calling over the course of the season. The only aspect of the offense they have liked has been Drake Maye.
Jerod Mayo vs Patriots Fans
The New England Patriots play the Buffalo Bills in their final game of the season. The Bills will be resting some of their key starters, so this is realistically a game the Patriots could win. Jerod Mayo and the players will be playing and coaching to win, even with nothing to play for. But especially for Mayo, who has been under constant criticism from the fanbase. Ending the season on a win would likely keep him in the good graces of the front office. But the Patriots fanbase wants the #1 draft pick, and many want Jerod Mayo gone as well. It is a clash of desires within the team and fanbase, where Sunday’s game will determine their fate.
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