There are still two games left on the regular season schedule, but New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo was willing to fast forward to some of the looming decisions awaiting him in the offseason.
Mayo touched on the subject of potential future staff changes with the player personnel and coaches.
“Look, I try to stay as present as possible, but the reality is you always have to look out the front windshield when you’re trying to built a team,” said Mayo, via Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed. “For me, after we get through the season, there are a lot of things, a lot of checklists you have to go through: what players you want to keep around, what coaches you want to keep around here.”
The last part will surely raise some eyebrows considering all of the noise surrounding offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. One has to wonder if he’ll be the one to fall on the sword for the Patriots’ disastrous season.
He has done a tremendous job of molding rookie quarterback Drake Maye, but there are questions as to whether he’s the best guy for the play-calling job.
But if not Van Pelt, what experienced offensive play-caller would entertain the idea of joining the Patriots at one of the lowest points in franchise history?
Maybe Van Pelt isn’t the one to get caught in the crosshairs. Could it be defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington instead? The defense has gone from being a top-10 unit to ranking in the bottom half of the league.
Or, maybe Mayo ultimately decides to keep things as they are and try again next season. It wouldn’t be shocking to see the team attempt to run things back in hopes it’ll improve with more experience and a more talented roster.
If that ends up being the case, one has to wonder how long the leash goes before major changes get made.
