The New England Patriots are limping through the finish line of the season with a disappointing 3-13 record, raising the question of whether Jerod Mayo’s time as head coach is nearing its end. Since stepping into the huge shoes left by Bill Belichick, Mayo has struggled to harness the team’s talent effectively. The recent 40-7 drubbing by the Los Angeles Chargers was just the latest chapter in a story of underperformance, spotlighting Mayo’s struggles to inspire the team.
Despite Mayo’s close connection to Belichick and his experience as a former player, he hasn’t managed to maintain the defensive prowess the Patriots were known for. To put the extent of the drop-off into perspective, last year’s defense ranked sixth in expected points added (EPA) per play. Unfortunately, under Mayo’s stewardship, they find themselves languishing in 30th position—a rather dramatic fall.
Offensively, the Patriots have hit a wall, extending their unenviable streak of games without hitting the 30-point mark to an astonishing 44 consecutive matchups. Combine that with a visibly deflated team spirit and a struggling defense, and it’s clear why some are questioning Mayo’s capability to navigate the Patriots out of their current morass.
The answer may lie in the potential availability of Brian Daboll. Currently leading the New York Giants, Daboll made a significant impact by guiding the team to the playoffs in his debut season back in 2022. However, with the Giants now sharing a 3-13 record ahead of Week 18, there’s buzz about potential changes that might leave Daboll available.
It’s a complex situation. Daniel Jones’ performance has dipped after his breakout year, and Daboll has had the misfortune of not having a quarterback that fits snugly into his preferred offensive scheme. The front office’s decision to let Saquon Barkley depart in free agency didn’t help either, further depleting the Giants’ offensive arsenal.
Joining the Patriots would see Daboll inherit a more promising roster. His background with the Buffalo Bills, where he played a crucial role in refining Josh Allen’s remarkable skill set, makes him a tempting prospect for New England. Drake Maye, the Patriots’ current quarterback, shares attributes with Allen, and his style could mesh well with Daboll’s offense. Maye has shown flashes of brilliance with 2,276 yards and 15 touchdowns alongside a 66.8% completion rate over 12 games. However, his penchant for risk-taking has led to 10 interceptions, echoing early Allen.
Daboll’s history of reining in Allen’s wild tendencies and turning them into strengths could be a game-changer for Maye. Moreover, Maye’s rushing ability, which has seen him rack up 421 yards, adds another dynamic that Daboll can leverage to maximize his potential.
Defensively, there’s talent within the Patriots’ ranks; they simply need a coordinator with the right vision to unlock it. Prioritizing Maye’s development is the path forward for the Patriots, and with Daboll at the helm, it seems like the perfect match to guide New England back to its glory days.
