Report: Jerod Mayo Expected to Return as Patriots HC Barring 'Some Type of Calamity'

Jerod Mayo is reportedly expected to return for a second season as head coach of the New England Patriots in 2025.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, the only way the Patriots won't retain Mayo is is "some type of calamity" occurs over the final two weeks of the 2024 NFL regular season.

Pelissero and Rapoport noted that Mayo was Patriots owner Robert Kraft's hand-picked replacement for legendary future Hall of Fame head coach Bill Belichick, which suggests Mayo may have a longer leash than the coach of a three-win team typically would.

The 38-year-old Mayo has been a Patriots lifer, playing for the team as a linebacker from 2008 to 2015 before serving as their inside linebackers coach under Belichick from 2019 to 2023.

On the heels of a 4-13 record last season, Belichick and the Pats parted ways, paving the way for Mayo to become New England's first new head coach since Belichick took over for Pete Carroll in 2000.

The transition hasn't been easy, as New England is among the worst teams in the league with a 3-12 record, but there is still reason for optimism in the future.

New England's biggest bright spot has been rookie No. 3 overall draft pick Drake Maye, who has looked the part of the Patriots' quarterback of the present and future.

In 10 starts, Maye is only 2-8, but he is completing 67.6 percent of his passes for 2,159 yards, 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, while also rushing for 389 yards and two touchdowns despite a lack of high-end talent around him.

Six of the Patriots' 12 losses have been by only one score, including last weekend's narrow 24-21 road loss to the AFC East champion Buffalo Bills and the leading NFL MVP candidate in quarterback Josh Allen.

Although their record does not reflect it, the Pats have been competitive under Mayo, and they have a chance to take a big leap forward next season with another infusion of talent via the draft and free agency.

As of now, the Patriots are in line to have the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, and with the quarterback-needy New York Giants ahead of them, the Pats could have their pick of the top non-quarterback in the draft.

University of Colorado two-way star and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter may be New England's target in that scenario, and if the Patriots decide to deploy him as a wide receiver, he would give Maye the dynamic weapon he so clearly needs in the passing game.