FOXBORO, Mass. — Robert Kraft saw the team regress. and the Patriots owner knew it was headed in a direction he did not anticipate, or want.
Kraft said his confidence started to waver around the season’s midway point, but it reached a fever pitch after New England’s Week 14 bye. It ultimately prompted Kraft to fire Patriots first-year head coach Jerod Mayo on Sunday, less than 90 minutes after the season finale.
“This whole situation evolved, but I’d say over the last month I went back and forth,” Kraft said during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on Monday.
“I guess the main thing for me is, I felt we regressed. The high point of everything, for me, was winning the Cincinnati game (Week 1). And midseason, I just think we started to regress.”
It’s hard to argue Kraft’s point.
The Patriots were embarrassed against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15, a game which might be best remembered for the viral video of Jonathan Kraft and Mayo throwing offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt under the bus. Following a fine first half against the Buffalo Bills in Week 16, the Patriots were completely embarrassed on their home turf against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17. Fans booed with some chants of “Fire Mayo” surfacing among those in attendance.
Kraft confirmed Eliot Wolf and the personnel staff will remain in New England following the firing of Mayo. Coaches who worked under Mayo have not yet been told they’re fired, as the Patriots will allow their next head coach to make those decisions.
Robert and Jonathan Kraft will lead the next coaching search, which will begin immediately. The Patriots have started requesting candidates for interviews, according to multiple reports.
