Patriots enter contract talks with Jerod Mayo, will interview OC candidates

After a disappointing 8-9 season and with New England’s coaching staff in need of an overhaul, the Patriots released a transparent statement regarding their personnel on Thursday.

In a team statement, the Patriots and Bill Belichick announced that they have “entered into contract extension discussions with Jerod Mayo that will keep him on the team for the long term.”

Additionally, the Patriots “will begin interviewing offensive coordinator candidates starting next week,” signaling that the franchise will either leave Matt Patricia as a caller or increase his role on the coaching staff.

Installing new leadership on the offensive side of the ball was the first domino that should fall in a busy offseason for Belichick and the front office.

With Patricia, a career defensive coach, and Joe Judge, whose expertise is focused on special teams, leading the ship on offense, New England has regressed across the board in many offensive categories in 2022.

New England ranked 26th in the NFL in total offense with just 314 yards per game and dead last in red-zone touchdown percentage (42.2).

Thursday’s candid statement from the organization comes just a day after NBC Sports Boston’s Tom E. Curran announced that Belichick plans to make changes to his coaching staff following his annual postseason meeting with the owner Robert Kraft.

Mayo, 36, is considered one of the most sought-after coaching candidates in the NFL this offseason. The former linebacker and current defensive assistant for the Pats has reportedly been interviewed for the vacant head coaching job of the Carolina Panthers. Last week, the Browns requested permission to interview Mayo for the team’s defensive coordinator position.

If the Patriots intend to keep Mayo “for the long haul,” he could earn a coveted new title in the New England coaching ranks.

With coach Bill Belichick’s son Steve Belichick serving as the defensive play caller for the past few years, Mayo may not be in line for a “defensive coordinator” designation. But if the Patriots see Mayo as a potential successor to Belichick, perhaps “assistant head coach” is where Mayo lands on the coaching ladder.

New England should have no shortage of intriguing candidates for their vacant OC role, including Bill O’Brien, Kliff Kingsbury and Chad O’Shea.