New England Patriots Owner Robert Kraft released a statement on Sunday evening regarding firing Jerrod Mayo, as he believes it is the right move to make after just one season at the helm.
Now, Kraft is just focused on moving quickly through another head coaching search after he and… Bill Belichick We parted ways before the 2024 season.
Before he could discuss the plan this time, Kraft took the blame after another 4-13 campaign.
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Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, during warmups for a Dolphins game at Hard Rock Stadium on January 9, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Michael Reeves/Getty Images)
“This whole situation is on me,” Kraft told reporters Monday, via ESPN. “I feel bad for Giroud, because I put him in an untenable position. I know he has all the tools as a head coach to be successful in this league. He just needed a little more time before taking the job.
He added: “In the end, I like this team first, and now I have to go out and find a coach who can get us back to the playoffs and championships, hopefully.”
Teams are already making calls on potential head coach candidates, and the Patriots aren't wasting any time either.
ESPN'S Stephen Smith on Patriots firing Jerrod Mayo: 'They call it Black Monday for a reason'
New England tested its connection Detroit Lions About an official request to interview star offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. And of course, Kraft was asked about Mike Vrabel, another former player of his with far more NFL coaching experience than Mayo, who was leading a team for the first time.
“There are some great guys we've heard about,” Kraft answered when asked about Vrabel, who was the Tennessee Titans' last head coach before being fired after the 2023 season. “I'd rather answer that after I've seen everyone. We want to interview as many people as possible that we think can help us get to that position we want to be in.”
New England Patriots coach Jerrod Mayo looks at the scoreboard during a Buffalo Bills game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, December 22, 2024. (Photos by Mark Koniezny-Imagine)
As for the process, Kraft's son Jonathan, who serves as the team's president, will be involved, as well as Chief Personnel Officer Alonzo Highsmith and Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Elliott Wolff. Kraft's front office will also remain the same during this coaching transition.
May's final game as head coach had implications for Sunday's NFL Draft, as Joe Milton III's matchup against the Buffalo Bills lost the Patriots the No. 1 overall pick. Now, they will select fourth overall in April.
But Kraft did not seem upset about Mayo coaching the Patriots to the final victory to end the season, as he said the former New England linebacker was informed of the decision after the game.
He added: “In the end, I like this team first, and now I have to go out and find a coach who can get us back to the playoffs and championships, hopefully.” Robert Kraft said. (Brian Fluharty – USA Today Sports)
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“He was a man,” Kraft said of Mayo's reaction to the shooting. “Look, this was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my life because I had so much affection for him. And I believe in him. I really believe that the more experience he gets, the more successful he will be. He was a gentleman and took it that way.”
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