Jerod Mayo intentionally carried out final act of defiance before ousting, NFL analyst suggests - Getty
Jerod Mayo's one-year coaching tenure with the New England Patriots drew to a close after he was fired on Sunday following a 4-13 season. Mayo was with the Patriots organization for six years, working as a linebackers coach before replacing Bill Belichick as head coach ahead of the 2024 season.
On Tuesday's edition of "Pro Football Talk," NFL analyst Mike Florio suggested Mayo "caught wind" of his fate before the Week 18 game. According to Florio, Mayo then did his best to win the game, thereby preventing the Patriots from getting the top pick in the draft.
"I wonder if Jerod Mayo caught wind of it," Florio said. "Robert Kraft said he didn't tell him before the game. I just wonder if he caught wind of it before the game because what a parting gift for Mr. Kraft. 'There goes your number-one overall pick next year. Bye bye. We went and beat the Bills.'" [00:02:45]
