the New England Patriots issued a statement on Thursday evening regarding their personnel and announced they’ve begun contract extension discussions with Jerod Mayo that would keep him with the team long-term.  In addition, the team will begin interviewing for offensive coordinator candidates beginning next week.

Albert Breer from the MMQB.com joined Toucher & Rich this morning and shared his initial reaction when we saw the statement.

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  GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 12: Coach Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots during the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on December 12, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 27-13. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

• Patriots announce they’re in negotiations to keep LBs coach Jerod Mayo aboard and they’ll start offensive coordinator interviews next week. Very unusual for NE to announce this stuff.
  
  One factor: if they give someone the OC title, Rooney Rule mandates a proper interview process. pic.twitter.com/WnRHCPWfz6

  — Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 13, 2023

• “I was stunned,” said Breer, “I thought it was fake when I first looked at it. My first reaction was that somebody doesn’t like what’s been said on this station over the last week.”

  Breer also believes it’s possible the Patriots released that statement to lessen the blow in case Mayo decides to go somewhere else.

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• “I think it’s certainly possible,” said Breer, “I know the Krafts love him and rightfully. They would want him to know and they would want the public to know that this is a guy that they very much value.”

  “I also wonder if they heard some of the criticism talked about this week where it would be bad look if he left for a defensive coordinator job. If he leaves for a head coaching job there’s really nothing you can do about that, right? But If you’re leaving for a defensive coordinator job, it’s like, did you do everything you could to keep him?”

• LISTEN TO THE FULL CLIP HERE:

• Nick Gemelli is a Producer for the Toucher and Rich program and contributor for 985thesportshub.com. you can follow Nick at @NickGemelli on Twitter.

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