A lot has been reported and speculated regarding the final three weeks of the 2024 season and the status of Jerod Mayo's future with the Patriots. The running narrative had been he was coaching for his job during the final stretch of the year, which wasn't expected to be easy given who was on the docket.
Facing the Bills twice in three weeks with the Chargers in between was projected to be among the most difficult weeks of the season for the Patriots, only for them to keep it close with their divisional rival last week in Buffalo. That's provided more optimism about their chances against the Chargers in Week 17 and even more so when they meet the Bills again next Sunday.
Despite that rise in positivity, the implication has been that Mayo would be coaching to save his future as the team's head coach, as stated by multiple reporters and insiders over the last few weeks. But that has since changed, according to Ian Rapoport, who reported on Saturday that Robert Kraft is expected to keep Mayo on for another season.
"Patriots owner Robert Kraft spent years preparing for Jerod Mayo to be Bill Belichick's successor, even writing it into Mayo's contract. Barring some type of calamity over the final two games of the campaign, the expectation is Kraft gives Mayo another season to prove him right."
Jerod Mayo might have nothing to worry about to end the Patriots 2024 season
While this is similar to what has been reported recently regarding the chances of the season completely going off the rails over the past two weeks, it seems far more likely that Kraft has no intention of making a change at head coach like some have previously suggested.
It's a significant decision by the team owner, as guys like Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel are considered the frontrunners for jobs during the 2025 offseason. Vrabel has been on the Patriots' radar for the past few seasons, even being dubbed a favorite by Kraft to succeed Bill Belichick, but that didn't happen.
Deciding to stick with Mayo for another year essentially eliminates for the former Patriot from contention in the immediate future, assuming he lands another coaching job in the NFL or elsewhere over the next few months.
The same can be assumed about Johnson, who has been a widely regarded head coaching prospect for a few years. If Kraft doesn't hire him this offseason, then it's fair to assume he will be on another sideline next year.
Keeping continuity on the Patriots coaching staff is admirable for Kraft since they appear to have their quarterback in Drake Maye. But it's also risky, given how poorly the 2024 season has progressed.