Rob Gronkowski appeared to be upset with the way the New England Patriots handled Jerod Mayo’s first season as head coach, which ended with his firing on Sunday following a win over the Buffalo Bills.
Mayo was hired to replace Bill Belichick last year after the legendary head coach and the organization parted ways after six Super Bowls and two dynastic periods.
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New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo looks at the scoreboard during the Buffalo Bills game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on December 22, 2024. (Images by Mark Konezny-Imagn)
The Patriots struggled in Mayo’s first season, finishing 4-13. But Gronkowski expressed that he didn’t think Mayo had enough time to develop as a head coach.
“That surprised me. And for that to happen so soon was a surprise to a lot of people,” he said on FOX. “Especially here at the table, I think we were all surprised. I think it was unfair to coach Jerod Mayo. He never had the opportunity to develop as a head coach.
“He was just a rookie in that department. If you judge a coach by his first year, that’s really not appropriate.”
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Mayo and Gronkowski were teammates for a few years with the Patriots.
The Patriots were far from playoff contenders entering the season. New England drafted rookie quarterback Drake Maye in the first round and didn’t start him until a few weeks into the regular season.
New England ranked 30th in points scored and 31st in yards gained, while finishing 22nd in points and yards allowed.
Patriots team owner Robert Kraft announced Mayo’s decision after the Patriots’ victory.
New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo shakes hands with Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
“After the game I informed Jerod Mayo that I will not be returning as head coach of the New England Patriots in 2025. For me, personally, it was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made,” Kraft said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the trajectory of our team’s performances throughout the season was not as expected.”
