Bill Belichick’s response to the New England Patriots firing Jerod Mayo had fans puzzling over. The usually tight-lipped coach didn’t mince words. Fans took to social media, calling out Belichick for his decision to speak up, with one cheeky comment summing up the vibe: “Should have given you another year.”
Now, the online chatter’s blowing up, with everyone from Pats fans to rival teams chiming in.
Bill Belichick Shifts Blame for Jerod Mayo Firing to Robert Kraft, Inner Circle
Belichick’s cryptic response to the firing of Mayo has left fans questioning who really made the call. On “The Pat McAfee Show,” Belichick distanced himself from the controversial move, throwing the spotlight on Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his inner circle.
Belichick explained that the decision-makers behind Mayo’s one-year stint as head coach were Kraft, his son Jonathan Kraft, and executive vice president of football business Robyn Glaser.
“You know, the Patriots situation — I mean, honestly, I don’t have too much of a comment on that. Robert Kraft, Jonathan Kraft, Robyn Glaser — they’re the decision-makers there, who exactly does what and so forth,” Belichick said, suggesting that his role in the decision was minimal. “I really don’t know from the outside looking in. They haven’t called me, so I don’t know.”
"I don't have too much of a comment on the Patriots situation..
They have their decision makers and Mayo was handpicked by Robert Kraft..
They haven't called me and asked" 😂😂
Coach Belichick #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/0zFLFep0ie
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 6, 2025
Mayo, handpicked by Kraft to succeed Belichick, was handed a tough task. Having spent years as the team’s inside linebackers coach, he was thrust into a head coaching role.
Belichick continued, “Mayo was handpicked by Robert, but in the end, the decision-making is something that they’d have to comment on and identify. You know, they’re the ones that are really making the calls there, and so it’s, you know, they’re the ones that comment on that.”
Unfortunately, Mayo’s tenure ended with a dismal 4-13 record, making his firing one of the swiftest in franchise history. The season’s downfall mirrored the disastrous Rod Rust era of 1990.
Fans reacted quickly to Belichick’s words.
Fans React to Belichick’s Cryptic Comments on Mayo’s Firing
When Belichick distanced himself from the controversial decision, it left fans questioning who was truly behind the move, but the reactions quickly flooded in.
One fan put it bluntly: “They should have given you another year,” whether that’s in response to Mayo’s early firing or Belichick’s departure in 2023.
They should have given you another year https://t.co/W9qXBABJ1q
— Big Threat (@CockyCent) January 6, 2025
Others praised Belichick for staying classy in the face of Mayo’s downfall.
One user noted, “Good of Bill not to take a victory lap at Mayo’s expense after not getting the same courtesy.” It was a subtle nod to the challenges Belichick himself has faced while steering through the Patriots’ complex front office dynamics.
Good of Bill not to take a victory lap at Mayo's expense after not getting the same courtesy.
— Scott Bernard (@SBernard30) January 6, 2025
Meanwhile, some took a different route.
One fan suggested that the Patriots are setting the stage for Mike Vrabel’s return, writing, “It’s quite obvious that Mike Vrabel will be the next head coach of the Patriots, that would be the only reason they would have fired Mayo after one season.”
Of course, not all reactions were filled with critiques.
“I love Bill. Forever,” another fan said, underscoring the loyalty many still have for the legendary coach, despite the whirlwind surrounding Mayo.
As Belichick and the Patriots move forward, the lingering questions about Mayo’s firing and the future of the team continue to fuel speculation, with fans weighing in on every twist.