New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has struggled to follow in the footsteps of Bill Belichick. In his first season as head coach, he has led his team to a 3-13 record with one game still left to play. On Friday, he was asked about team culture at a press conference and talked about how he does not believe the Patriots have a bad culture.
“Just because you have a good record, doesn’t mean you have a good culture. Just because you have a bad record, doesn’t mean you have a bad culture” said Mayo.
Jerod Mayo’s Team Culture Comments
After his comments on team culture were posted on X by Savage Sports, several fans started to respond in a negative way. Some even questioned whether it mattered to have a good culture if his comments were completely truthful.
“If that is true then the case could be made that culture doesn’t matter,” one fan wrote.
If that is true then the case could be made that culture doesn't matter.
— Anthony Santagati (@AJSJR40) January 3, 2025
“Just because Robert Kraft said Mayo would be a good head coach doesn’t make him a good head coach,” one fan commented.
“He is clearly not ready to HC. Moving forward with him is a choice,” one fan added.
He is clearly not ready to HC. Moving forward with him is a choice.
— SpartacusX86 🇺🇲 (@SpartacusX86) January 3, 2025
Fans continued to respond in a negative manner on X.
“There is more culture in a Cumbies Egg Salad or the BSO on Opening night than the Pats locker room,” one fan wrote.
There is more culture in a Cumbies Egg Salad or the BSO on Opening night than the Pats locker room
— Bill Dunn 🥃🥃 (@DarthBill52) January 3, 2025
“Cause players trashing the fans and blaming everyone but themselves is indicative of a good culture. Fire him yesterday,” one fan commented.
“Yeah, we went from “Do Your Job” to “Know Your Place, fans”. Great culture Jerod,” one fan added.
Yeah, we went from “Do Your Job” to “Know Your Place, fans”. Great culture Jerod.
— WhoRunsthePats (@AndrewYoun26110) January 3, 2025
The Patriots have struggled immensely this season under Mayo, but that is not anything new for the team.
The team has struggled since legendary quarterback Tom Brady left after the 2019 season. Since then, they had a 7-9 record in 2020 and missed the playoffs, had a 10-7 record in 2021 and lost in the first round of the playoffs, had an 8-9 record in 2022 and missed the playoffs, and had a 4-13 record in 2023 and missed the playoffs.
So, is Mayo on the hot seat? Tough to say, but if you look at some of his offensive statistics, it is hard to argue the team should keep him.
A rookie quarterback can skew some of the offensive numbers, but scheming is magnified in tight windows, and the Patriots failed that test at every turn in 2024. This season, New England ranked 29th in third down conversion rate and 30th in red zone efficiency.
MORE: PFN’s NFL Offense Rankings
The elite offenses are going to produce, but the ranking of the middle tier will be separated on the margins. Even in the scope of the teams working in a franchise QB, the Patriots’ inability to finish off drives was alarming:
Red Zone TD% (Ranks)
- Washington Commanders: 61.8% (6th)
- Chicago Bears: 61.1% (7th)
- Denver Broncos: 60.8% (8th)
- New England Patriot: 47.7% (30th)
The Patriots were struggling immensely even with Bill Belichick as the head coach. So, fans can’t blame Mayo for everything that has gone wrong. The team is in the middle of a rebuild and could still be bad for a few more years.
PFN’s David Bearman has also expressed his support for Mayo to return next season. “While he did not have a very good year on the sidelines, I am a firm believer that you can’t make a decision like this after one year unless things go majorly wrong like with Urban Meyer and the Jags. Mayo was the guy you brought in for a multi-year plan and you have to see that through ”