The New England Patriots were thoroughly dominated on Saturday, suffering a crushing 40-7 defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Chargers.
It was another dismal showing for the Patriots, who have struggled throughout the entire season.
Jerod Mayo, the team’s first-year head coach, has come under major scrutiny amid the team’s disappointing performance, with speculation swirling about his future.
While some recent reports have indicated support for Mayo, others are now calling for change, especially after this latest setback.
One of the loudest voices advocating for a coaching change is Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald.
Following the Patriots’ embarrassing loss to the Chargers, Callahan is urging team owner Robert Kraft to make a move and part ways with Mayo.
“If (Mike) Vrabel is, indeed, interested in returning to New England, the Krafts ought to bring him home,” Callahan wrote in his column. “Say what you will about Vrabelâs Titans – a hard-nosed, boring bunch often hamstrung by bad quarterbacks – they never quit. They didnât break fundamentally.”
Of course, the idea of Mike Vrabel taking over as head coach in New England is nothing new to Patriots fans.
In fact, the vast majority of the fan base wanted Kraft to hire Vrabel last year. In so many ways, it not only seemed like an obvious fit – but a perfect fit as well.
Vrabel, a former Patriots linebacker, has demonstrated his ability to lead teams through tough circumstances.
As Callahan alluded to, sticking with Mayo may just very well be delaying the inevitable – and wasting valuable seasons in the meantime.
With rookie quarterback Drake Maye now under center, the Patriots’ rebuilding timeline has accelerated, and there is little room for error.
Callahan believes that the Patriots cannot afford to gamble on Mayoâs potential and should instead secure a proven, elite coach in Vrabel.
As the season draws to a close, the debate over Mayoâs future with the team continues.
There have been plenty of rumblings that Kraft doesn’t want to pull the plug this soon on Mayo. After all, Kraft was the one who pinpointed Mayo as Belichick’s successor and we all know how egos cloud judgement.
Having said that, things have gotten so ugly in New England that nothing can be ruled out. Especially since Kraft will have no better chance than this to hire the beloved Vrabel.
What are your thoughts on Mayo’s struggles? … Will Kraft be able to swallow his pride and swap Mayo for Vrabel in the coming weeks???
