Patriots Rumors: Jerod Mayo 'Strong Candidate' to Replace Bill Belichick as HC

New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo has emerged as a "strong candidate" to replace Bill Belichick, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

According to Rapoport, if the Patriots decide to hire Mayo, the process would be fairly simple because of a succession plan in a prior contract that was communicated to the NFL.

Mayo, who played in New England from 2008 to 2015, has been the inside linebackers coach for the organization since 2019. If hired, Mayo would be one of the youngest coaches in the NFL, continuing a transition around the league to young coaches.

NBC Sports Boston's Tom Curran also said Mayo is likely to be the next head coach of the Patriots.

"The indication that I've gotten is that Jerod Mayo will be the successor to Bill [Belichick]," Curran said.

The Patriots and Belichick mutually agreed to part ways on Thursday, marking the end of the legendary head coach's 24-year tenure. The agreement to part ways comes following a 4-13 finish for New England and a second-straight year of missing the playoffs.

Now, someone will have giant shoes to fill, and it seems Mayo could be in line for the Patriots.

Mayo, a first round draft pick in 2008 out of Tennessee, won a Super Bowl with New England in 2015. He also was the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2008, a two-time Pro Bowler and the NFL's tackles leader in 2010.

Since joining the coaching staff in 2019, Mayo has taken on play-calling duties alongside assistant Steve Belichick. New England announced plans to extend Mayo's contract early last year as other teams pursued him as a head coach. Robert Kraft even called Mayo a strong candidate to be Belichick's "heir apparent" in March of last year.

Following Belichick's parting, Kraft might have the chance to put that hypothetical plan into motion.