ESPN star Stephen A. Smith reacted to the New England Patriots' decision to fire Jerrod Mayo after just one season at the helm.
Smith lamented on “First Take” that Mayo didn't have enough opportunities to grow as a head coach and lead the team. He said Mike Vrabel's availability on the coaching market was also a factor.
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New England Patriots head coach Jerrod Mayo during a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Mark J. Revilas-Imagen Images)
“This is about Mike Vrabel. He's the guy they wanted, there's no question about that,” Smith said. “He's a more experienced and experienced coach. I don't like this. There's a reason they call it Black Monday. This certainly symbolizes that. Why isn't it called White Monday? I don't know. Doug Pederson was fired from Jacksonville, and he deserved it.
“It's clear that Bill Belichick didn't give Jerod Mayo enough long-term opportunities from a talent standpoint, considering his record, considering his team's performance.”
Smith added that he believes the Patriots' upper management “looked at” Mayo throughout the season.
“He didn't help himself with some of the comments calling the team underdogs…But no matter what we can point to, at the end of the day, people in New England like to turn against Jerrod Mayo. “Everyone knows this,” he said.
“And I think it has something to do with the fact that they have Vrabel and that's what's really going on here. They don't want to lose him to a team like the New York Jets. We want to get him, and we can't do it with him as our head coach.”
The Patriots went 4-13 in Mayo's only season.
New England Patriots head coach Jerrod Mayo shakes hands with Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott on Sunday, January 5, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
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New England team owner Robert Kraft made the announcement after New England defeated the Buffalo Bills in the final game of the season.
“After today's game, I informed Jerod Mayo that I will not be returning as head coach of the New England Patriots in 2025. For me personally, this was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made. '' Kraft said.
“I have known Jerrod for 17 years. He has inspired me throughout his career since his rookie year in 2008 with his play on the field, his leadership in the locker room, and the way he conducts himself in our community. “When he came in, I was afraid of losing him and was committed to making him our next head coach.” . ”
Kraft went on to say that this move is because he feels fans deserve a better product on the field going forward.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft warms up before the Dolphins game at Hard Rock Stadium on January 9, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Michael Reeves/Getty Images)
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“Since acquiring the team, I have always viewed myself and my family as stewards of public assets. We expect and deserve a better product than we have delivered in recent years. We have amazing fans,” Kraft's statement reads. “We apologize for that. We have reflected on what actions we can take to expedite our return to championship contention and have determined that this action is the best option at this time.”
FOX News' Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
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