The tail end of Week 18 was a wild one around the league. From playoff scenarios getting set to plenty of head coaching rumors and reports running rampant, there was a lot to sort out. But, the New England Patriots were one of the teams who wasted absolutely zero time in making one of their big decisions.
Very shortly after the Patriots defeated the Buffalo Bills to end their regular season, the football world had learned the fate of head coach Jerod Mayo.
It was no more than maybe an hour or so after the game's conclusion, and Patriots owner Robert Kraft posted a statement noting he had elected to fire Mayo. In conjunction with Kraft's statement was the raw news reported by insiders almost simultaneously.
It was a one-and-done season for Mayo as head coach. Was that a fair shake for the first-time head coach? One could argue it most certainly wasn't, and one of the main reasons why can be tied to another decision this team looks to be making Sunday night.
Per NFL insider Albert Breer, New England has not fired anyone within their front office. Specifically, that means Executive Vice President Eliot Wolf sticks around. Of course, that might just change. But, as of right now, Wolf is still the "de facto" general manager.
Eliot Wolf deserved more blame than Jerod Mayo for the disastrous 2024-25 season
Look, Mayo isn't involved in front office decisions. He isn't in charge of player personnel. That's on Wolf.
Is it Mayo's fault that this team had, arguably, the worst offensive line in the entire NFL this season? By that same token, Mayo is not at fault for the lack of weaponry on the offensive side of the ball. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye had a solid first campaign, all things considered, and the lack of wide receiver help didn't do much to assist in that.
More Patriots news:
It was Wolf's decision not to address the left tackle position in a concrete way. It was Wolf's decision to trade back instead of drafting Ladd McConkey when he was there for the taking.
It was Wolf's decision to defer free agency spending another year when he very well could have spent more in 2024, in order to address major holes.
Mayo seems to be the scapegoat, here. Or, there was an even bigger plan behind the scenes that we don't yet know about. Regardless, the idea that Wolf is keeping his job doesn't seem quite fair. It doesn't add up.
If Mayo is out, then this team should go with a full reset and send Wolf on his way, too. This organization can't afford to do things backwards or out of order.
Robert Kraft, it's your move to make this all make sense.