How Jerod Mayo Might’ve Strengthened Job Security Vs. Bills

Jerod Mayo is safe for at least another week.

The Patriots’ first-year head coach put forth a much-improved, all-around performance at Highmark Stadium on Sunday.

Mayo’s Patriots were competitive against the Bills, who failed to cover the 14-point spread in a 24-21 victory. Mayo’s outing at the postgame podium was a drastic difference, as well, especially considering his showing one week prior. And then there were the comments from Drake Maye and Hunter Henry, each of whom defended Mayo and expressed confidence in their coach.

It’s fair to believe those things will go a long way in the eyes of Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

During the latest episode of NESN’s “Foxboro Rush” podcast, George Balekji and Travis Thomas welcomed NESN.com’s Sean McGuire and weighed in on the topic. All three viewed the one-score game and overall messaging as a step in the right direction for Mayo, and believe Kraft will see it the same way.

“I without a doubt do,” McGuire said. “I can picture Robert Kraft at the end of the season, ‘We went to Buffalo and no one gave us a chance and we had them down (in the final minutes).’ I can see that entire thing happening very vividly.

“So I think in Robert Kraft’s eyes this performance does help. And if Jerod went out and got beat 42-14, I don’t think that would come across the same way. It was competitive. They had it — the fact they could call it a game with a few minutes left, I think that sits very well with Robert Kraft.”

You can listen to NESN’s “Foxboro Rush” podcast on Spotify and YouTube.