Patriots’ Robert Kraft Admits to Feeling ‘Guilty’ For Making Jerod Mayo Head Coach

Robert Kraft showed no shame in taking full ownership of how New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo’s first and only season at the helm shook out.

Kraft, the New England Patriots CEO and Chairman, addressed the press on Monday to discuss the firing of Mayo along with fielding questions on other topics within the organization.

“This whole situation is on me,” Kraft said. “I feel terrible for Jerod, because I put him in an untenable situation. 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.”

Mayo, who was a former linebacker under Bill Belichick on the Patriots, had returned to the team as an assistant coach in 2019. Four years later, his contract included a guarantee to succeed Belichick following his eventual departure — a transition that took place last January.

Kraft called firing Mayo “there hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”

The Patriots ended in last place of the AFC East at 4-13 and aside from quarterback Drake Maye, there’s not a lot of current promise heading into 2025.

“In the end, I’m a fan of this team first,” he said. “And now, I have to go out and find a coach who can get us back to the playoffs and hopefully championships.”

This story is being updated…