Morning Sports Update

Jerod Mayo was asked about his future with the Patriots

"I feel like we’re still on the same page."

Jerod Mayo Patriots
Jerod Mayo after the Patriots' loss to the Chargers. AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

By Hayden Bird

3 minutes to read

Jerod Mayo’s future: With the Patriots continuing to struggle as the 2024 regular season moves toward its final week, questions about Jerod Mayo’s future continue to swirl.

The first-year head coach has been beset by a pronounced lack of talent on a last-placed roster that he inherited. Mayo has also had to oversee a rookie quarterback’s development.

Still, the dismal performance in the 40-7 loss at home to the Chargers on Saturday once again raised questions about whether Mayo will be allowed to get a second season in charge of the Patriots. The team’s record now stands at 3-13, tied for the worst in the league (and currently holding the tiebreaker for the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft).

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But does Mayo have any clarity on his job status from the Kraft ownership? Asked on Monday, Mayo avoided a definitive answer (as he himself may not know), but signaled that he hasn’t sensed a change in the owners’ opinion of the matter.

“I’m always in constant communication with ownership,” Mayo said in a press conference in response to a question from MassLive’s Mark Daniels. “I feel like we’re still on the same page.”

Being on “the same page” suggests that the Krafts may understand Mayo’s current position, and that the results in 2024 were always going to be mostly bad amid a rebuilding project.

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Reports over the last month have also indicated a likelihood that the embattled coach will not be fired.

Of course, it remains to be seen if team ownership will stand by those reports as losses keep piling up, or choose to hit the reset button, especially if New England heads into the offseason holding the coveted top pick.

Asked later on Monday during his WEEI interview on “The Greg Hill Show” about his relationship with the Krafts and his job security, Mayo elaborated slightly.

“I’m in constant communication with this ownership. We have good conversations. We have hard conversations. That’s part of our relationship,” Mayo explained. “Their expectation is we need to win football games. That’s what we need to do.”

Trivia: The last time the Patriots had the No. 1 overall pick was in 1993. As most fans remember, that was when New England picked Drew Bledsoe. Can you remember which quarterback was selected second overall (immediately after Bledsoe)?

(Answer at the bottom.)

Hint: Notre Dame.

Scores and schedules:

The Celtics lost to the Pacers 123-114 on Sunday, Boston’s third loss in four games. The next Celtics game comes on Tuesday against the Raptors at home at 3 p.m.

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The Bruins will also be in action on Tuesday, facing the Capitals on the road at 12:30 p.m.

Tonight, the Boston Fleet play Victoire in Montreal at 7 p.m.

More from Boston.com:

Will Ferrell in character: Buddy the Elf made a cameo appearance at Sunday’s Kings-Flyers game.

On this day: In 2016, Isaiah Thomas scored 52 points (including 29 in the fourth quarter) in a 117-114 Celtics win over the Heat.

Daily highlight: Eagles running back Saquon Barkley achieved a rare NFL feat on Sunday, becoming just the ninth running back in league history to cross the 2,000 yards rushing threshold in a single season. He has a chance in Week 18 to potentially top Eric Dickerson’s single season record, needing exactly 100 yards.

Trivia answer: Rick Mirer

Hayden Bird

Sports Staff

Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.

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