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Many have wondered when exactly Bill Belichick will call it a career ever since Tom Brady decided to no longer play for the New England Patriots.
For now, it doesn’t seem like retirement is the plan for the future Hall of Fame head coach. However, the franchise is rumored to already have his successor picked out.
Perhaps the trail was there all along, as The Athletic hints at the possibility of Jerod Mayo taking over as head coach once Bill Belichick hangs it up.
After turning down head coaching opportunities this offseason, “people close to Mayo believe, was a profession of support from Patriots ownership, perhaps an implicit indication of what could lie ahead for him — and for the franchise.”
At 71 years old, Bill Belichick’s time in the NFL is nearing an end. Many believe he’s going to stick around until he breaks Don Shula’s record of most wins ever, as Belichick is 19 away from making history.
Additionally, the entire franchise views Jerod Mayo incredibly highly, per The Athletic.
“The Kraft family — Robert has been the Patriots’ principal owner since 1994 and son Jonathan has been team president since 2005 — thinks highly of Mayo. Belichick is fond of him. Former teammates revere him. Coaching colleagues praise him.”
Jerod Mayo has been an intriguing name in the head coaching cycle for the last couple of years now. However, if these rumors are true, then it makes sense why he hasn’t found a head coaching gig just yet.
With that said, keep an eye on Bill Belichick and the Patriots, as the franchise could be making a major change to the coaching staff in the next couple of years.