Rob Gronkowski appeared to be upset with how the New England Patriots handled Jerod Mayo’s first season as head coach, which ended with his dismissal Sunday following a win over the Buffalo Bills.
Mayo was hired to replace Bill Belichick last year after the legendary head coach and the organization parted ways following six Super Bowls and two dynastic periods.
The Patriots struggled in Mayo’s first season, finishing 4-13. But Gronkowski expressed that he didn’t believe Mayo had enough time to develop as a head coach.
"I was shocked by that. And to happen that soon was a shocker to a lot of people," he said on FOX. "Especially here at the desk, I think we were all surprised by that. I think it was unfair to coach Jerod Mayo. He had never had the chance to develop as a head coach.
"He was just a rookie himself in that department. If you judge a coach by their first year, that’s really not appropriate."
Mayo and Gronkowski were teammates for a few years with the Patriots.
The Patriots were far from playoff contenders entering the season. New England drafted rookie quarterback Drake Maye in the first round and didn’t start him until a few weeks into the regular season.
New England was 30th in points scored and 31st in yards gained, while finishing 22nd in points and yards allowed.
Patriots team owner Robert Kraft announced the Mayo decision after the Patriots’ win.
"After the game I informed Jerod Mayo that he will not be returning as the head coach of the New England Patriots in 2025. For me, personally, it was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made," Kraft said in a statement. "Unfortunately, the trajectory of our team's performances throughout the season did not ascend as I had hoped."
After a disappointing 3-14 season, the New York Giants said they will keep general manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll, stating the team is confident in their "vision."
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Jets owner Woody Johnson insists his teenage son has no influence on the team's decisions and referred to a recent report about the organization's dysfunction as a "smear piece."
The worst day for coaches on the hot seat is here: NFL black monday. There were already several in-season head coach firings. The Chicago Bears already fired Matt Eberflus on Nov. 29, the Jets parted ways with Robert Saleh on Oct. 8, and the Saints canned Dennis Allen on Nov. 4. The Patriots also wasted...
The Jacksonville Jaguars fired head coach Doug Pederson on Monday following three seasons with the franchise, ending with a 4-13 season to wrap up 2024.
Jacksonville lost to the Indianapolis Colts, 26-23.
"I had the difficult task this morning of informing Doug Pederson of my intention to hire a new head coach to lead the Jacksonville Jaguars," Jaguars team owner Shad Khan said in a statement, via ESPN. "Doug is an accomplished football man who will undoubtedly enjoy another chapter in his impressive NFL career, and I will be rooting for Doug and his wife Jeannie when that occasion arrives.
"As much as Doug and I both wish his experience here in Jacksonville would have ended better, I have an obligation first and foremost to serve the best interests of our team and especially our fans, who faithfully support our team and are overdue to be rewarded. In that spirit, the time to summon new leadership is now."
Khan indicated that general manager Trent Baalke would stay in his role.
"I strongly believe it is possible next season to restore the winning environment we had here not long ago," Khan added. "I will collaborate with General Manager Trent Baalke and others, within and close to our organization, to hire a leader who shares my ambition and is ready to seize the extraordinary opportunity we will offer in Jacksonville."
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
Aaron Rodgers threw four touchdown passes and helped the New York Jets crush the Miami Dolphins’ playoff hopes on Sunday evening, 32-30.
It may have been the 41-year-old quarterback’s final game as rumors have swirled about his impending retirement for weeks. Despite the lackluster season, Rodgers became the fifth player in NFL history to hit the 500-touchdown pass plateau for his career.
"We'll have the conversations in the next few days," he said, via SNY. "Whatever happens out of there, I don't know if anything will be definitive coming out of those. But I just need some time away to think about my future in the game, and my future here if they want me to be a part of the next phase or if they're ready to move on. Either way, I'm thankful for my two years here."
Rodgers said he intended to meet with team owners Woody and Christopher Johnson. He added that he would not be "upset or offended" about what they decide to do.
The Jets acquired Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers prior to the start of the 2023 season. He played four snaps in Week 1 before he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury.
Turmoil and lackadaisical effort created a negative narrative around the team. The Jets fired Robert Saleh and then general manager Joe Douglas in the middle of the season.
The Jets and Giants both mercifully saw their seasons come to an end Sunday, which leaves them — and their fans — officially able to look forward to the future.
