Patriots' Robert Kraft reveals he picked Jerod Mayo as Bill Belichick's predecessor 'five years ago'

Jerod Mayo is in the unenviable position of being the man who follows The boyThe former linebacker was chosen by Robert Kraft this offseason to be the new head coach of the New England Patriots, replacing Bill Belichick, who led the organization to his sixth season. Super Bowl championships. After Mayo's hiring, it was revealed that a clause It was implemented Under Mayo's previous contract, he was the head coach in waiting while working with Belichick as the de facto defensive coordinator.

While that clause was reportedly included in his contract ahead of the 2023 season, Kraft admitted that he's long had his eye on Mayo as Belichick's breakout player. How long has Kraft had this in the works? The Patriots owner revealed to Prime Video's Taylor Rooks ahead of New England's “Thursday Night Football” clash with the New York Jets in Week 3 that he's decided Mayo would be his next head coach after Belichick five years ago.

“Look, Jerod learned a lot from Bill,” Kraft began. “Each one of them is a special person. I've gotten to know Jerod over the last 12 or 15 years. You know, I picked him five years ago to be our next head coach… It's great to be able to coach with Bill.”

Mayo was selected by the Patriots in the first round of the 2008 draft. NFL Draft and spent his entire playing career in Foxborough until his retirement after the 2015 season. He then joined the New England coaching staff as inside linebackers coach in 2019, so he has been with the organization and Kraft for nearly two decades.

Overall, it's a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the front office's succession plan after Belichick, widely regarded as the greatest coach in league history. That five-year timeframe would make Kraft's decision to have Mayo succeed Belichick coincide with the team seeing Tom Brady leave the organization following the 2019 campaign. That said, it wasn't contractually binding until much more recently.

Mayo is 1-1 as the Patriots' head coach heading into Week 3.