in non-New England Patriots mode, now have their third head coach in as many seasons (and less than 13 calendar months).
After Bill Belichick was sidelined for 24 seasons, the two parted ways in early 2024. went with Jerod Maya replace probably the greatest coach of all time.
However, after a 4-13 season, Kraft didn’t like what he saw, firing Mayo and hiring Mike Vrabel, who was available last offseason.
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New England Patriots’ Jerod Mayo (51) congratulates Vince Wilfork during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts on January 2, 2011. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Vince Wilfork doesn’t deny that the Patriots are in a better place today than they were two weeks ago, but a recurring former teammate Rob Gronkowski’s thoughts on that matter, Wilfork said Tuesday that Mayo “never had a chance” and that it was all a “setup.”
“I think it was BS. And knowing Jerod personally, I know the conversations,” Wilfork told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. “I know what it is. It’s just hard to understand, but that’s the way it is when you’re dealing with certain people. I don’t think it’s fair.”
Wilfork noted that Mayo coached “the same s—-y roster” that Belichick made and “sucked.”
“So what do you think Mayo was [going to] do with the same people Bill brought? It is Mayo who have found a future quarterback in Drake Maye. It’s just an accident. But that’s part of the game, part of the job,” Wilfork said.
Wilfork spoke with Fox News Digital at an event promoting Tums, as he’s on the hunt to stop heartburn when people stuff their faces at their Super Bowl parties. Tums and DraftKings recently teamed up with fans to launch an app for its Fantasy Foodball Pool, where players can draw their perfect game day plates for free for a shot at a share of cash prizes.
Jerod Mayo (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
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“Tums goes hand in hand with food, and what they’ve tried to do with Foodball is a perfect collaboration. … When you have football and DraftKings and a chance to win something, it stays fun,” Wilfork said. “You can do this with your friends, have a lot of fun and it’s all about food. Something competitive, but it’s light. We’re talking about food. It’s a great way to bring people together. Food, sports, football, that’s what it’s all about .”
Despite Mayo’s firing, Wilfork said Vrabel is the best man to “get his former Patriots back on track.”
“I’m very happy for Vrabel. I played with Vrabel. He coached me in Houston – a good friend. I know he ticks all the boxes when it comes to leading the team. I hope he can get us back on the right track. It’s time to get on the right track, he’s a good person who can get us back in the right direction, but it has a lot to do with that roster,” Wilfork said.
Wilfork played in Super Bowls with Mayo and Vrabel on the same defensive unit and considers them both good friends. You might say it’s an odd situation for Wilfork, but he mentioned that it’s “not embarrassing … just the facts.”
“It has nothing to do with Vrabel as a coach or a person. I think he’s phenomenal. He’s the best coach I could get. I just think it was unfair that Mayo went through what he went through,” he said.
Tom Brady of the New England Patriots talks with head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans before their preseason game in Nashville, Tenn., on Aug. 17, 2019. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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“I don’t question Vrabel’s ability. I know he can win. He showed that with Tennessee, going to the AFC Championship in his first year. I know what a great coach Vrabel is. I don’t question that at all. I’m very happy and excited that the Patriots brought Vrabel.
“I just think it’s unfair what Mayo had to go through. They didn’t have a chance. It was rubbish from the start, and it’s a lot of backstabbing. … We’ll see what happens. It’s all part of the game I suppose, but it’s not fair any way you break it. He never had a chance.”
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