Although there was plenty to suggest that Robert Kraft would move on from Jerod Mayo after just one season as the Patriots head coach, it still came as a shock that he made the move only 90 minutes after their season finale game against the Bills.
Because Mayo inherited a less-than-ideal situation in New England, one that ultimately led to Bill Belichick's dismissal a year before, there was some speculation that he might be given at least another year to figure things out and get the team back on the right path. But other circumstances led Kraft to not want to see that through, likely the availability of Mike Vrabel, and choose to fire Mayo instead.
It prompted many responses from former Patriots who have moved onto media gigs, with Rob Gronkowski having the most viral moments during FOX's post-game show during Week 18. He laid into the Krafts or was about to before he got cut off, and now another legendary dynasty player is following suit.
Vince Wilfork spoke to Fox News this week and didn't mince words about how he feels the situation played out for Mayo at the end of his Patriots tenure.
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Vince Wilfork is not a fan of the questionable moves that led to Jerod Mayo's firing
After acknowledging that the Patriots didn't make a bad decision in hiring Mike Vrabel as their next head coach, Wilfork spoke about the unfair circumstances that Mayo was put in for the 2024 season and believes he was "never given a chance."
That is an argument many fans and some in the media have argued all season, especially since he was dismissed, and Wilfork didn't hold back his criticism of his former team.
"I think it was BS to pull that. And knowing Jerod personally, I know the conversations. I know what it is. It’s just hard to fathom, but that’s the business when you deal with certain people. I think it was unfair."
He further emphasized his point by mentioning that the roster and how they played during the 2023 season led to the Krafts firing Belichick, so how was Mayo set up to be successful in that regard? That's when Wilfork deemed the entire situation as "bullcrap," even if it is part of the business.
"I just think it’s unfair what Mayo had to go through. He didn’t have a chance. It was bullcrap from the get-go, and it’s a lot of backstabbing going on. … We’ll see what happens. It’s all part of the game, I guess, but it’s unfair however you slice it. He never had a chance."
Whether you agree with the decision to fire Mayo or not, it's difficult to disagree with what Wilfork is saying. The former linebacker wasn't put into a situation to succeed, even if many of his own decisions and behavior didn't make anything better. He inherited a questionable roster and had too many inexperienced coaches around him, which didn't help, and it all led to another 4-13 season.
It's clear Wilfork knows a bit more about what happened on Mayo's final day in Foxboro, and that plays a role in how he feels. Even without knowing all the nitty gritty, he's not entirely wrong. Hopefully, if Mayo still wants to be a head coach in the future, he will have a better opportunity come along that will allow him to flourish.