Rob Gronkowski seemed upset with how the New England Patriots handled Jerod Mayo’s first season as head coach, which ended with his firing Sunday after 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.
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New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo looks at the scoreboard during the Buffalo Bills game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on December 22, 2024. (Mark Konezny-Imagn Images)
The Patriots struggled in Mayo’s first season, finishing 4-13. But Gronkowski said he didn’t believe Mayo had enough time to develop as a head coach.
“I was shocked by that. And the fact that it was happening soon was a shock to a lot of people,” he said on FOX. “Especially here in the office, I think we were all surprised by that. I think it was unfair to coach Jerod Mayo. He never had a chance to develop as a head coach.
“He was just a rookie himself in this department. If you judge a coach on his first year, that’s really not appropriate.”
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Rob Gronkowski during the Fox Sports media day at the Phoenix Convention Center in Arizona on February 7, 2023. (Kirby Lee-USA Today Sports)
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 finished 30th in points scored and 31st in yards gained, while finishing 22nd in points and yards allowed.
Patriots team owner Robert Kraft announced Mayo’s decision after the Patriots’ victory.
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New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo shakes hands with Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
“After the game, I informed Jerod Mayo that he would not return as head coach of the New England Patriots in 2025. For me personally, it was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made.” , Kraft said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the trajectory of our team’s performance throughout the season has not progressed as I had hoped.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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