NFL News: Jerod Mayo Fired by Patriots After 4-13 Record; Mike Vrabel Reportedly Eyed

The New England Patriots could turn to Mike Vrabel as their next head coach after firing Jerod Mayo on Sunday, according to The Athletic's Chad Graff and RJ Kraft.

Mayo was dismissed on Sunday after the Patriots finished out the 2024 season with a 4-13 record.

The news came hours after the Patriots lost the rights to the No. 1 pick of the 2025 NFL Draft by defeating the Buffalo Bills in Week 18.

Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt has also been fired, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.

Despite the coaching staff changes, general manager Eliot Wolf is "safe" after the disappointing season, per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.

The Patriots are now "expected to begin their search for a new head coach immediately," according to Graff and Kraft.

That search could include Vrabel, a former Patriots linebacker who coached the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2023, per Graff and Kraft.

Graff and Kraft noted that the Patriots would not be able to immediately hire Vrabel due to the NFL's Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview minority candidates for open front office positions.

The Athletic's Jeff Howe reported that Vrabel is believed to have shown interest "in recent weeks" toward potentially taking on a head coaching role with the Patriots.

Howe added that Vrabel has assistant coaches "who would be prepared to go with him" if he heads to Foxborough.

Patriots CEO Robert Kraft wrote in his statement that he decided to fire Mayo after "the trajectory of our team's performances throughout the season did not ascend as I had hoped."

"I have given much thought and consideration as to what actions I can take to expedite our return to championship contention and determined this move was the best option at this time," Kraft wrote.

The Patriots ranked among the NFL's bottom three teams in total offense during the 2024 campaign.

The season wrapped up with a six-game losing streak that saw the discontented home crowd at Gillette Stadium call for Mayo's firing.

Mayo then earned further ire from Patriots fans by coaching the team to a costly Week 18 win over the Bills.

This marks the first time the Krafts have fired a head coach after just one year since acquiring the Patriots in 1994. Hall of Famer Bill Parcells and Pete Carroll each spent multiple years at the helm prior to Belichick's 24-season run as head coach.

That pattern changed with Mayo, who was unable to keep the Patriots' defense consistently competitive despite his previous experience as an assistant coach for the unit.

The Patriots now need to focus on ensuring Drake Maye takes another step forward in his first full season as the franchise's starting quarterback.

Whoever the Patriots hire next will be charged on developing both Maye and the franchise's upcoming No. 4 pick as New England looks to recover from consecutive seasons at the bottom of the AFC.