Insider updates job security of Patriots' Jerod Mayo

Eyebrows were raised when it was reported in October that first-year New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo was not yet "assured of a second season" in his role. 

Before New England improved to 3-7 on the campaign via Sunday's 19-3 win over the Chicago Bears, Patriots/NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated discussed how Patriots owner Robert Kraft and team president Jonathan Kraft feel about Mayo this fall. 

"My understanding is they remain solidly behind Jerod Mayo," Breer said during the "Patriots Pregame Live" program, as shared by Justin Leger of NBC Sports Boston. "They have sympathy for some of the things that he's had to deal with this year, some of the noise on the outside. ...I think Jerod Mayo is on solid ground to be the head coach in 2025 and from there, you have to continue to evolve on your quarterback plan."

Mayo played under former New England head coach Bill Belichick from 2008 through 2015, and the 38-year-old first joined Belichick's staff as an inside linebackers coach in 2019. It was reported last winter that the Krafts essentially picked Mayo as Belichick's successor "as far back as two years" prior, but whispers about Mayo's job security emerged after it was said his locker room was "teetering on mutiny" as he played veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett over rookie Drake Maye. 

Maye started New England's last five games and should remain the club's QB1 moving forward as long as he stays healthy. 

Mayo may have upset some players when he said after a loss he felt New England was "a soft football team," but it's worth noting that the Patriots have won two of three games since that potential controversy. During his report on Sunday, Breer mentioned that the Krafts are "deeply invested" in Mayo and also realize he "may be in that position a year earlier than they had expected." 

Mayo will look to earn a third win in four tries when New England hosts the Los Angeles Rams this coming Sunday. The 4-4 Rams will welcome the 2-6 Miami Dolphins to Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium for the final matchup of Week 10 on Monday night.