New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft took full responsibility for the team’s disappointing 4-13 season and the subsequent firing of head coach Jerod Mayo. In a statement on Monday, Kraft expressed his regret for putting Mayo in an “untenable situation” and admitted that he made the wrong decision in hiring him.
“I feel terrible for Jerod, because I put him in an untenable situation,” Kraft said. “I know that he has all the tools as a head coach to be successful in this league. He just needed more time before taking the job.”
Kraft made it clear that he is focused on moving forward and finding a new head coach who can lead the team back to the playoffs and potentially win championships. The Patriots are already making calls to potential coaching candidates, including Ben Johnson, the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator.
When asked about Mike Vrabel, a former Patriots player and head coach of the Tennessee Titans, Kraft said that the team has “heard about” him, but wants to interview multiple candidates before making a decision.
The process of finding a new head coach will involve Kraft’s son, Jonathan, who serves as team president, as well as senior personnel executive Alonzo Highsmith and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf. The front office will remain the same during this transition.
Kraft also took the time to praise Mayo’s reaction to his firing, calling him a “gentleman” who accepted the news with dignity. The Patriots will choose fourth overall in the NFL draft in April after failing to secure the top pick due to a loss in the final game of the season.
