The New England Patriots didn't waste time to crown the next head coach of their team. Bill Belichick and the team parted ways on Thursday and a replacement was already named by Friday morning. That replacement is not Mike Vrabel, as many Patriot fans might have hoped. The replacement was long-time Patriot, Jerod Mayo.
Mayo was drafted by the Patriots 10th overall in 2008 and went on to play his entire NFL career in New England and then coached the inside linebackers over the last half-decade.
Jerod Mayo’s entire professional football career has been spent in New England. He was drafted in the first round by the Patriots in 2008, played all eight years of his career with them and has been their inside linebackers coach for the past five seasons.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 12, 2024
Now he takes over as… https://t.co/wp0WVqgGEP
Patriots fans know Mayo well but that doesn't take away the disappointment that some might have felt knowing that Vrabel could have been the next head coach of this team. Vrabel had four winning seasons in Tennessee, led the Titans to the AFC Championship Game and a number one seed in two separate seasons and also was crowned Coach of the Year in 2022. He has ties to the organization and it just made sense.
Let's see how fans are handling this news.
Reactions to Patriots hiring Jerod Mayo over Mike Vrabel
Mike Vrabel watching the Patriots hire Jerod Mayo: pic.twitter.com/l0ZuWi9PpF
— Jack Gentry (@jackagentry) January 12, 2024
Mike Vrabel waking up to the Jerod Mayo/Patriots news: pic.twitter.com/BApvW30CeT
— Joshua Sánchez (@jnsanchez) January 12, 2024
Mike Vrabel hearing the Patriots hired Jerod Mayo as their new HC pic.twitter.com/8HPIi5BHlK
— OddsStack (@OddsStack) January 12, 2024
You're probably noticing a pattern here. All of these memes have the characters either dropping to their knees in frustration or watching sadly from a distance. It sure felt like Vrabel was a shoo-in to be the next head coach of the Patriots so perhaps he really did react like these memes.
Titans really fired Mike Vrabel because he was friendly with Kraft and the Patriots fans...only for NE to immediately hire Jerod Mayo🤣🤣🤣
— Skiz (@iSkizm) January 12, 2024
It's surprising that this decision happened so quickly, especially with some big names out there. The Patriots must really believe that Mayo is the right guy.
With Jerod Mayo as head coach of the Patriots, there is only one thing left to do. Trade for Will “Hellmann’s” Levis.
— Daniel Warren (@zombieGsus) January 12, 2024
This would be pretty funny but it's doubtful the Titans are willing to part with Will Levis after his decent rookie season. We do know how much the kid loves mayonnaise though.
This has to be Jerod Mayo on Tuesday morning in the offensive coaching room. pic.twitter.com/5qXrnnspBL
— Tom Brown (@TomJohnBrown2) January 12, 2024
Yeah after a rough season like the Patriots offense had in 2023, it wouldn't be surprising if there was any merit to this tweet.
"It feels like the Patriots are adding a new chapter to the same old book."
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) January 12, 2024
— @ColinCowherd on New England hiring Jerod Mayo as head coach pic.twitter.com/EDpNErTuFd
Yes, during his NFL career Jerod Mayo has only played and coached under Bill Belichick. But the Patriots are not looking to keep things as they are. Mayo will create his own culture, relationships, and looks at the game differently. This isn't expected to be the same Patriot Way.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 12, 2024
Cowherd noted that it feels like this is just another chapter in the same old Patriots book so that's why I also included James Palmer's tweet. He notes that even though Mayo has only ever been with the Patriots, he plans to look at the game in a different way and that's not necessarily the "Patriot Way".