Jerod Mayo is a highly respected figure in the Patriots organization with the air of a strong leader, one who would make a fine head coach in the National Football League. But no matter how good Mayo is in his own right, it’s all going to come down to the offense.
Specifically for Mayo, the question is how does he turn it around? It’s certainly going to help when they appoint some kind of personnel head, and add talent through free agency and the draft. But for Mayo, it’s more of a big-picture issue, as it should be for the man at the helm of the football operation.
MORE: Jerod Mayo explains why he’s the anti-Belichick
That’s how Mayo addressed the matter when asked about the offense during his introductory press conference on Wednesday. He started off mentioning a need for “energy” and “passion,” and names the weight room as a good place for evaluation.
Jan 17, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo addresses media with owner Robert Kraft (not pictured) at a press conference at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
But interestingly enough, Mayo seemed to call out players for not doing all the right things to position the team for success:
“One thing we don’t want to do is have people who are complainers or finger pointing or things like that. The best teams I’ve really been a part of have been teams that – whether I’m talking about high school, college or the NFL, teams that are not led by the players, but things are enforced by the players. It’s almost like getting something – your mom or dad telling you something versus your brother. It just hits a little bit differently.”
Jan 17, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft (left) announces the hiring of head coach Jerod Mayo (right) at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Despite Mayo’s call for improving the internal culture and getting everyone pulling in the same direction, he will still be responsible for filling out an offensive coaching staff. The Patriots need an offensive coordinator and a quarterbacks coach in the wake of the news that Bill O’Brien is headed to Ohio State. Incumbents like Adrian Klemm (offensive line), Troy Brown and Ross Douglas (wide receivers), Vinnie Sunseri (running backs), and Will Lawing (tight ends) should be on notice, although the latter could follow O’Brien to the Buckeyes.
The Patriots’ most recent interview news could be a harbinger of things to come on the offense. They’ve requested interviews with three young, up-and-coming coaches for roles on defense and special teams: Saints linebackers coach Michael Hodges (37 years old), Broncos defensive backs coach Christian Parker (32 years old), and Rams special teams assistant Jeremy Springer (34 years old).
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 09: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo talk on the sidelines in the fourth quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
That ought to excite Patriots fans who are hoping for something new, fresh, and exciting on offense. This particular team desperately needs that, after the Pats finished tied for dead-last in the NFL in points per game. Whoever comes in to run the Patriots offense, there’s a good chance that they’ll be young and from outside the organization, and would bring some new ideas to the table.
And ideally, Mayo does his job, and gets them all on the same page.
