The New England Patriots are thought to have identified the man they want to succeed Bill Belichick as their head coach.
Of course, Belichick is expected to depart on his own terms after leading the franchise to six Super Bowl wins. And, while it’s unlikely that he’ll retire anytime soon, the Pats might already have a replacement in mind for when the time comes.
According to The Athletic, Jerod Mayo, the team’s inside linebackers coach, is being groomed to take over from Belichick once the latter decides to call curtains on his career. Belichick is 71 years old and is 19 wins away from breaking Don Shula’s record, which would make him the winningest HC in NFL history. So he could end up leaving after he gets past the mark.
As for Mayo, he’s turned down opportunities to become a head coach elsewhere, and the publication reckons it’s because he knows he’s in line for the top job in New England.
Chad Graff writes:
“The New England Patriots and Head Coach Bill Belichick have begun contract extension discussions with Jerod Mayo that would keep him with the team long-term. In addition, the team will begin interviewing for offensive coordinator candidates beginning next week.”
Graff added that “people close to Mayo believe, was a profession of support from Patriots ownership, perhaps an implicit indication of what could lie ahead for him — and for the franchise.”
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The Kraft family is said to think highly of Mayo (pun definitely intended), while Belichick is also fond of him.
The above might explain why the former LB has never been hired as a head coach despite the many links over the last few years.
