Patriots Legend Praises Mayo Hire: 'Best of Both Worlds!'
One day after parting ways with legendary coach Bill Belichick, the New England Patriots have found their successor in Jerod Mayo.
Mayo, 37, is a Patriot through and through. The No. 10 pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, Mayo spent his entire eight-year playing career in New England, earning an All-Pro nod and helping the Patriots win Super Bowl 49.
After his playing days, he then became the Patriots' inside linebackers coach in 2019, and the team eventually began preparing him to be Belichick's successor. It may have happened earlier than expected, but that plan came to fruition on Friday.
Jerod Mayo
USA Today Sports
Time will tell how Mayo fares as the Patriots' new coach, but first impressions seem overwhelmingly positive. Former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who spent his final NFL season alongside a rookie Mayo in 2008, is thrilled to see his former teammate get the opportunity of a lifetime.
It's an important early endorsement, as Bruschi is Patriots royalty with three Super Bowl rings and enshrinement in the team's Hall of Fame.
“I’m really not surprised at all,” Bruschi said on ESPN's Get Up. “The relationship with Mr. (Robert) Kraft, the grooming, working himself up through the ranks, being almost the de facto defensive coordinator with Brian Belichick. I think you’re getting the best of both worlds… there’s a little of Bill Belichick in him, and then there’s not.
“I think that’s what they’re looking for. Someone who knows the foundation, the structure, knows the defensive philsophy and the techniques. In terms of what they’re looking for in the organization, sort of the new age… it’s everyone on the same page, someone that’s willing to work and can work with a lot of people. They got the right guy in Jerod Mayo.”
Beyond Mayo's history with the organization, Bruschi believes he also has the right set of leadership skills to thrive in the role.
“Jerod can also be difficult to work with also, he’s not afraid to ruffle feathers,” Bruschi said. “He doesn’t really care what people think sometimes, even if he’s working with them. That’s a sign of a good coach, being able to tell you the truth even when it’s not wanted.”
Replacing Belichick, who helped build the Patriots into the NFL's greatest dynasty, is an unenviable task, but it seems like Mayo is more than up to the challenge.
