The New England Patriots have shifted gears this offseason, replacing head coach Bill Belichick with his former linebacker and linebackers coach Jerod Mayo.
So far this offseason, Mayo has proven to be a different coach than Belichick, and that could be a great thing, as we’ve seen other Belichick disciples try to be too much like the old coach, and it just doesn’t work out for them.
Mayo appears to offer a more open coaching style, as he’s willing to hear his players out, and as a former player himself, he understands what it’s like to be in those meeting rooms, in those locker rooms and on the field during practice or playing the game.
Speaking on NFL Live this week, Mayo’s former teammate, quarterback Brian Hoyer, shared his assessment of Mayo early on in this process.
“I played with Jerod,” Hoyer said. “I came in a year after he did. He was a leader already as a second-year player. He’s someone who can relate to this younger generation…Jerod coming right after Bill, yes he learned from Bill, but he’s also bridging that gap to the youth. Jerod learned his lessons from Bill, but he’s got his own flavor. He’s got his own personality. And, talking to some of the guys, I know they love the way he’s approaching it, and now you just gotta carry that over to wins in the season.”
As Hoyer points out, the energy and attitude won’t mean a thing if they can’t win. And, with the changes on offense and to the coaching staff, the questionable talent on the offensive line and the difficult schedule, Mayo certainly has his work cut out for him in 2024.
