Ranking head coaching opportunities after Black Monday firings
By Nick Villano
5. New England Patriots
Former Head Coach: Bill Belichick
Next Head Coach: Jerod Mayo
Welp, it finally happened. After two years of speculation, the New England Patriots will start a season with a new coach for the first time this century. The Pats hired Belichick for the 2000 season, and he's been in charge ever since. Six Super Bowls and the greatest player of all time later, and Belichick is now unemployed. We already pegged him for a new home (more on that later), but the Patriots are going to be down to two names for its vacancy.
It seemed like the move was to make Linebackers Coach Jerod Mayo the new head coach, but the availability of Mike Vrabel complicates things. He is a VERY good coach, and it will be hard to resist bringing him in to replace Belichick, a coach he was once played for.
New England is in a weird spot. The offense looks awful, but they actually have more pieces than it seems. The receivers are basically a bunch of second and thirds. DeVante Parker, Juju Smith-Schuster, Demario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, and Tyquan Thornton are a talented bunch. They need a number one. Will that be Marvin Harrison Jr, who the Patriots can take with the third-overall pick? This team could be primed to make a turnaround.
However, the team finds itself fifth on this list because ownership will not be patient. Robert Kraft is 82 years old. He has no interest in a rebuild. Mayo or Vrabel (we're going with Mayo) have pressure to win now. And win often. With the Bills and Dolphins primed to hold onto the division and the Jets at least trying, the expectations may be too great. Still, there is something great they can do with this roster.