Jerod Mayo was officially hired as Patriots head coach one day after the franchise parted ways with Bill Belichick, which suggested the former linebacker was the only candidate considered for the role in New England.
That wasn't the case, however.
Robert Kraft recently spoke with MassLive's Karen Guregian about his decision to hire Mayo, who worked under Belichick for five seasons before his big promotion. Kraft went with his instinct and led with conviction when he hired the unproven 38-year-old, but the Patriots owner admitted to Guregian that he "thought long and hard" about bringing in a coach "with more experience" after cutting ties with Belichick.
In the end, the man highest on New England's totem pole couldn't resist Mayo's potential, as well as the relationship he had already forged with top executives.
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"I just thought having him (Mayo) and Eliot (Wolf) and Matt Groh, they're all sort of green now. They've all been here," Kraft told Guregian. "But the responsibilities, at least on Eliot, and especially Jerod, are huge.
"I'm always thinking about what's right for the long term. Our businesses are private. I don't need to make reports to Wall Street every 90 days. I do what the right thing is strategically long term. And I think I've done that with Jerod. I'm going to do what my gut tells me, and stay with it until I'm convinced it’s not right."
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Kraft's decision to hire Mayo shouldn't be completely judged by the events of the upcoming season. The Patriots are rebuilding, and it's going to take some time to get the franchise back on track. Not to mention, Belichick really struggled in his first season in New England before the organization took off.
That said, both Kraft and Mayo should be criticized if the 2024 campaign is cataclysmic. And looking at the Patriots' prospects for the fall, such a season isn't off the table.
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Featured image via Eric Canha/Imagn Images
