Jerod Mayo wanted to retain a member of the Belichick family on his staff during his one-and-done tenure as Patriots head coach, but in “a lesser role.”
In the wake of New England’s decision to fire Mayo on Sunday following a disastrous 4-13 campaign, The Athletic reported Wednesday how the former linebacker-turned-coach “didn’t offer” Steve Belichick, the son of former head coach Bill Belichick, “the chance to continue calling plays” on defense as he had done in previous years.
“With the defensive coordinator role, the other most important spot on his staff, Mayo was surprisingly decisive,” The Athletic detailed, noting the first-year head coach tapped defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington instead of Steve, 37.
“Mayo offered Steve a lesser role, but the younger Belichick declined.”
Steve, who joined the Patriots’ staff in 2012 as a defensive assistant and called defensive plays from 2020-23, left the franchise in 2024 for the University of Washington, where he was named defensive coordinator.
He is expected to join dad Bill, 72, in Chapel Hill, where the NFL legend was named head coach of the UNC Tar Heels.
Steve’s brother, Brian, remained with the Patriots as their safeties coach in 2024.
Mayo, 38, was named Belichick’s successor in January 2024 after the franchise parted ways with its six-time Super Bowl-winning coach.
Upon building a new staff, Mayo “had to lean on” Patriots executive VP of player personnel Eliot Wolf “and others in the front office” due to the coach’s “lack of connections,” The Athletic reported.
With a relatively green regime, “Mayo was left without an experienced sounding board during the more difficult days of the season,” the publication detailed.
Other alleged moves by Mayo piqued curiosity during his lone season at the helm.
On a flight home after “a lopsided loss” to the Cardinals in Week 15, Mayo moved from his seat towards the front of the aircraft to the rear, “where some players had gathered to play cards, choosing to hang out there while his assistants watched film.”
Patriots owner Robert Kraft put Mayo’s failed season on himself, stating Monday, “I put him in an untenable situation.”
New England’s search for a new coach is well underway.
Earlier this week, the organization announced interviews with former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and veteran NFL assistant Pep Hamilton.
Patriot great Mike Vrabel, one of the most sought-after candidates on the market, will speak to the team Thursday.
The Patriots are one of the six coaching vacancies this cycle, which includes the Bears, Jaguars, Jets, Raiders and Saints.
