Why Patriots’ Jerod Mayo turned down head-coaching interviews to stay – New England Patriots Blog

Foxborough, Massachusetts — Quick thoughts and notes on the New England Patriots and the NFL:

1. Mayo’s role: When the Patriots took the unconventional step on Jan. 12 by announcing that they had begun contract extension talks with Jerrod Mayo to keep him with the team for the long term, some questions were raised. I was.

Why did Mayo refrain from head coach interviews with other teams? Was this owner Robert Kraft hinting that Mayo was identified as Bill Belichick’s successor? , Will there be a new title and role for Mayo on staff at Belichick?

Over the past week, some concrete answers from Mayo herself have come to the fore.

Most notably, Mayo, 37, promised to “be here for years to come.” He said considerations for his family were a major factor in that decision (Carolina requested to interview him).

Mayo, a linebacker who spent eight NFL years with the Patriots after the Patriots selected him with the 10th overall pick in 2015, revealed he still has aspirations of becoming a head coach, but something. Defended it when asked if he received a guarantee from the Kraft that could happen at the Patriots.

“Let’s see what happens,” he said.

Mayo has downplayed the importance of a new title for 2023, saying he is more focused on personal growth, citing as an example his attendance at interviews as the team’s offensive coordinator and part of the offensive line search.

“Look, I’m going to work with defense again, linebacker,” he said. “But it’s pretty fluid. Let’s call it a class [and] Management stuff. …I am excited to keep learning new things. Not just X and O , but that’s just the beginning. I try to be a sponge and learn as much as I can while attending meetings that I wouldn’t normally attend. I look forward to learning from Bill on all things off the field. ”

Mayo adds: I mean, we’re not just talking to Bill, but also scouts, guys in caps, and researchers. There is so much to learn, which is another reason why I wanted to be here.

Mayo said it wasn’t important to him to call the defense on match day, stressing that fellow assistant Steve Belichick has done a “great job” with it since 2019, adding, “Why doesn’t it work?” do you want to change what you have?”

Summarizing his decision-making process, he said: I don’t know where it leads. Hopefully I’ll be here for the time being, but we’ll have to wait and see. I have confidence in the plan they put together. ”

2. 14th place rating: The Patriots could be in no man’s land with the 14th pick as well into the second round. Last week, Patriots director of player personnel Matt Groh deflected questions about whether, based on history, the team would expect to have 14 players in this class deeming N0-worthy. 14 spots based on the grading system. Also, Bills general his manager Brandon Bean, when asked how many players his team ranked as worthy of his first-round pick compared to other years, said: It’s not great,’ he said. One possibility that might help New England: four quarterbacks get off the board early, pushing other players off the board.

3. Trade Market: Especially given Belichick’s history, it’s worth noting the impact of a lower-than-normal first-round draft on the draft day trade market. During his 22-year tenure with the Patriots, he made his trade in the league-highest 86 drafts of his day, with Philadelphia trailing well that period with his 67 to tie him in second place. increase. 76 and 107 – so Belichick has a chip that can move up in the first round on certain targets, as he did at both Chandler Jones and Dont’a Hightower in 2012.

4. Sesame Scenario: When it comes to the intriguing draft storyline, that’s where Texas running back Bijan Robinson is picked. Draft analyst Todd McShay rates him No. 2), and is expected to be a later pick, as running backs are generally declining in value these days. So there are questions that could be a factor in the Patriots draft in his room. If Robinson drops to his 14th spot, would Robinson be a worthy pick given the limited selection of good players?NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said, “This is a pretty special player.” , and he’s in a unique draft.

5. Economic Impact: Speaking about the Patriots’ first-round pick, Gro said:it’s great to find them [undrafted] It’s free agency in terms of cost spending, but if you have a fifth-year option for first-round players, do your homework and make sure you get those players right. I’m doing Last year’s No. 14 pick, Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton signed his four-year contract worth $16.23 million, including a $9 million signing bonus.

6. Set the clock. If the Patriots retain the 14th overall pick and the draft follows a similar pace as last year, it should happen around 9:45 p.m. Thursday. That’s when the Ravens turned in a card to 14th-placed Hamilton last year in the first round, which lasted 3 hours and 18 minutes. The first round was 3:44 in 2021, 3:54 in 2020 and 3:39 in 2019.

7. Center of attention: It wouldn’t be surprising if the Patriots explored the possibility of securing a future at the center for 30-year-old incumbent David Andrews in his ninth season in the NFL. This year is a good year to do that. Listing five potential NFL starters, including Wisconsin’s Joe Tippman, Ohio State’s Luke Wipler, and Minnesota’s John Michael Schmitz, McShay said, “It’s the center, so nobody talks.” It’s a reluctant, oddly good center class.” Cornerbacks and tight ends are other positions that have stronger than normal classes in terms of depth of quality.

8. Light visit: Levi was born in Massachusetts and attended high school in Connecticut, so it was a homecoming of sorts when the Patriots reportedly visited Kentucky quarterback Will Levis last week. It’s unclear if it’s allowed in local-based prospects (like when the Patriots met Massachusetts-born Purdue quarterback Austin Burton) or if it counts as a 30-time visiting team. is. The difference is noticeable because NFL teams are generally smarter when considering how to distribute their 30 visits. Nonetheless, another advantage of his for the Patriots is knowing the front-runners they might face soon and comparing him to Mack his Jones.

9. Number game: The Patriots currently have 75 players on a 90-man roster and are drafted with 11 picks. If they made all their selections, they would be left with only four undrafted free agency spots unless they released some players. At least one is on the opening day roster, level with league leader Denver.

10. Did you know: The Patriots hold the 14th pick in the draft and, if picked, would be the third pick in team history. Running back Leonard James Russell (1991) and defensive back Ronald James (1980) are 14th.