JEROD Mayo is under increasing pressure at the New England Patriots and could be axed before the end of the season following a nightmare start to his coaching career, a front office source has told The U.S. Sun.
The former Pats star had the unenviable task of stepping into the shoes of six-time Super Bowl-winning legend Bill Belichick after 24 glorious years in the hot seat.
New England Patriots front office members are growing antsy with Jerod Mayo[/caption]
Mayo has a 1-6 record in his first season with the Patriots[/caption]
But a torrid 1-6 start— which includes a shocking six-game losing streak following a weekend thumping in London at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars – has seen the former linebacker begin to lose the locker room as faith from the front office starts to wane.
The Pats insider, who spoke anonymously, told The U.S. Sun about his “frustration” with the current situation and the “pretty pathetic” performances so far this campaign.
Mayo vowed to make the changes before the trip across the pond, but the pain continued, and our source says time is running out.
He says cliques threaten to rip the roster apart, and complaints are already being made to the owners.
“Our team is unbalanced, the coaching decisions so far seem very off with what we have in our roster, and we have players complaining that the chemistry is not there,” moaned the source.
“There is high scrutiny with coach Mayo. He isn’t getting a grip and finding solutions to make things go well so far.”
Owner Robert Kraft always knew losing a football genius like Belichick, who agreed to stand down at the end of last season, would be a struggle.
Yet there are already mounting fears that the situation will get even worse for the rookie coach, who, according to the source, is crumbling under “maximum pressure.”
“Some people involved with the franchise doubt that he will be able to turn things around,” he continued.
“The locker room is broken, and there is maximum pressure on him as some want him out ASAP, as the team hasn’t improved and plays bad football.”
Mayo, 38, enjoyed an impressive NFL career but was installed first as a defensive coordinator and then head coach with no experience—and it’s starting to show.
Some New England fans believe the franchise has never been the same since star quarterback Tom Brady left in 2020.
Mayo has preached about patience, but the future is uncertain with escalating tensions.
“Some say he wasn’t ready, some say he can’t be a head coach, he can’t be the team leader as he doesn’t have the leadership and personality to unite a group of players,” the front office insider said.
“Tensions are very high, our defense has been horrible, and we have shown almost nothing positive since the beginning of the season, so there are big doubts about Mayo being the right man for the job.”
NFL head coach annual salaries
1. Andy Reid – Chiefs – $20 million
2. Sean Payton – Broncos – $18 million
=3. Mike Tomlin – Steelers – $16 million
=3. Jim Harbaugh – Chargers – $16 million
5. Sean McVay – Rams – $15 million
6. Kyle Shanahan – 49ers – $14 million
7. John Harbaugh – Ravens – $12 million
=8. Dan Campbell – Lions – $11 million
=8. Sean McDermott – Bills – $11 million
10. Mike MacDonald – Seahawks – $10 million
Mayo still has 10 more weeks to prove he is the right man for the job, but there isn’t any indication that the Patriots will improve against any of their upcoming oponnents.
In the next six weeks they will play the New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, and Indianapolis Colts.
It is completely possible that the Patriots come out of that stretch of games without a single win.
If they reach their bye week with a 1-12 record, who knows what the front office could do to try remedying their situation.
Only time will tell if the Patriots are as patient as Mayo is trying to encourage them to be.
Mayo is the first Patriots head coach since Bill Belichick retired[/caption]
