National NFL insider addresses job-security rumors about Patriots' Jerod Mayo

New England Patriots fans couldn't be blamed for failing to keep up with the latest rumors regarding how Patriots owner Robert Kraft and team president Jonathan Kraft allegedly feel about first-year head coach Jerod Mayo with the 3-10 team heading toward a losing season. 

For a piece published Wednesday, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler shared what he's heard about Mayo's future following New England's Week 14 bye. 

"Mayo's 3-10 start in New England has been rocky, though people I've talked to believe adding more experience to the Patriots' staff would be a more prudent move than Robert Kraft firing his hand-picked successor (for Bill Belichick) that he essentially developed for years," Fowler said.

The latest whispers about Mayo's status first emerged when Mike Giardi of Boston Sports Journal shared on Monday that he recently received "some pushback from league sources for reporting that Jonathan Kraft is as onboard with Mayo as his father." The following day, Boston Sports Journal's Greg A. Bedard hinted that Mayo may find himself coaching for his job across New England's final four games of the campaign. 

"The chances are likely that he returns," Bedard said about Mayo, "but there are organizational sources who believe Mayo needs to keep the team competitive in the final four games. 'If they get blown out in all four games, I think all options are on the table,' said one source."

For what it's worth, New England suffered two one-score losses over the club's last three defeats. 

Also on Tuesday, Patriots legend and Hall of Famer Ty Law said he had reason to believe that Mayo is "definitely secure for next season" because Robert Kraft "is a smart enough businessman to give [Mayo] time." 

One would think the Krafts wouldn't want quarterback Drake Maye to have to work with a new coaching staff following his rookie year, but it seems Mayo has some work to do to ensure he'll stay with the Patriots beyond Week 18. 

New England next plays at the 6-7 Arizona Cardinals this coming Sunday. As of Wednesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Patriots as six-point underdogs for that matchup.