In ways other than the New England Patriots, they now have their third head coach in the same season (and less than 13 calendar months).
After 24 seasons on the sidelines with Bill Belichick, the two parted ways in early 2024, with Jerod Mayo replacing arguably the greatest coach of all time.
But after a 4-13 season, Kraft didn't like what he saw, fired Mayo and hired the vacated Mike Vrabel last offseason.
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Jerod Mayo, 51, of the New England Patriots congratulates Vince Wilfork during the second half of a game against the Miami Dolphins on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Vince Wilfork doesn't deny the Patriots are in a better situation today than they were two weeks ago, but echoed former teammate Rob Gronkowski's thoughts on the matter, saying Will Faulk said Tuesday that Mayo “never had a chance” and that was all that mattered. “set up”.
“I think it was the BS that brought it out, and I know Jerrod personally, so I know what the conversation was about,” Wilfork said in a recent interview on FOX News Digital. “I know what it is. It's hard to understand, but that's your job when you're dealing with certain people. I think it was unfair.”
Wilfork said Mayo coached a “same roster” as the one Belichick had and “was the worst.”
“So what do you think Mayo was (was going to) do with the same guys that Bill brought in? Mayo is the one who found the quarterback of the future in Drake Maye. It's a real shame. But… It’s part of the game, it’s part of the business,” Wilfork said.
Wilfork spoke to Fox News Digital at an event promoting Tams, which works to stop heartburn when people stuff their faces at Super Bowl parties. Tamms and DraftKings recently partnered up to create a hit Fantasy Foodball Pool app for fans. Players can draft their perfect matchday plate for free to win a portion of the prize money.
Jerrod Mayo (Mark J. Revilas-Imagen Images)
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“Tam's has a lot to do with food, and what they were trying to do with the Food Bowl is a perfect collaboration. … When you have football and DraftKings and you have a chance to win something, it's fun. continues to be,” Wilfork said. “You can do it with your friends, you can have a good time, and everything is food-themed. It's competitive, but it's light. We're talking about food. It's a great way to bring people together. Food, sports, football, that's it.' ”
But despite letting Mayo go, Wilfork said Vrabel is the perfect person to get the former Patriots “back on track.”
“I'm very happy for Vrabel. I played with Vrabel. He coached me in Houston. He's a good friend. He checks all the boxes when it comes to running the team. I know. Hopefully he can get us back on track.''It's time for us to get back on track.'' He's a good guy who can get us back on the right track. But that has a lot to do with that roster. ” Wilfork said.
Wilfork played on the same defensive unit with both Mayo and Vrabel in the Super Bowl and considers them good friends. It's probably a strange situation for Wilfork, but he said it's “not awkward…it's just a fact.”
“It has nothing to do with Vrabel as a coach or as a person. I think he's phenomenal. He's the best coach I could have had. It's just that Mayo experienced what he went through. I think it was unfair to do that,” he said.
Tom Brady of the New England Patriots speaks with Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel before a preseason game in Nashville, Tennessee, August 17, 2019. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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“I have no doubts about Vrabel's ability. I know he can win. He showed that at Tennessee and went to the AFC Championship in his first year. I don't question what a great coach Vrabel is. I have no doubts about that. I'm very happy and excited for the Patriots to acquire Vrabel.
“I think it's unfair what Mayo had to go through. He didn't have a chance. It was bullshit from the beginning and there's a lot of intrigue going on. … We'll see what happens. It's all about the parts.''I think that's true about the game, but it's unfair that he didn't have a chance.''
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