Things have been relatively quiet on what has become known as Black Monday, the first Monday following the end of the NFL regular season. With the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints firing their coaches earlier in the season, we have fewer changes to discuss. However, as more news breaks, I’ll update this post. For now, let’s dive into what we know so far.
New England Patriots Fire Jerod Mayo
Record: 4-13, 1st Season as Head Coach
Jerod Mayo came in with the advantage of being a former player who had earned the respect of Mr. Kraft and the NFL community as a solid defensive coach. However, his tenure as head coach fell far short of expectations. While the Patriots weren’t projected to make the playoffs, a seven-win season seemed realistic—especially after a decisive opening road victory in Cincinnati.
Unfortunately, Mayo’s downfall began with his unwavering trust in Jacoby Brissett, a journeyman backup QB, for too long. By the time the team transitioned to Drake Maye (2,276 yards, 15 TDs), it was too late to salvage the season. Two separate six-game losing streaks sealed Mayo’s fate.
Looking ahead, Mike Vrabel has become the hottest coaching candidate, and the Patriots are in a prime position to make an enticing offer to bring him back to New England.
Jacksonville Jaguars Fire Doug Pedersen
Record: 4-13, 3rd Season as Head Coach
Things often move slower in central Florida, and Doug Pedersen was given ample time to turn the Jaguars around. Unfortunately, the magic from his Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl win never materialized in Jacksonville.
With heavy investment in Trevor Lawrence, the franchise’s young quarterback, Pedersen became the scapegoat for the team’s struggles. Now, the focus turns to Ben Johnson, one of the most sought-after coaching candidates for the second year. The big question remains: will Johnson be willing to take on the challenge of working with Lawrence and reviving the Jaguars?
Cincinnati Bengals Fire Defensive Coordinator Lou Anarumo
Record: 9-8, 6th Season as Defensive Coordinator
I’ve already shared my thoughts about this decision in a previous blog post: The Bengals: A Case Study in Fanbase Entitlement. The truth is, however, the Bengals’ defensive performance this season was abysmal.
The team ranked 27th in overall defense and allowed 358 yards per game (25th in the NFL). They also struggled against the run, giving up 146 rushing yards per game—the fifth-worst in the league. This occurred despite Trey Hendrickson leading the NFL with 17.5 sacks.
While Anarumo became an easy scapegoat, fans wonder if this move is just the beginning. Could head coach Zac Taylor be next?
Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Mike McCarthy’s Contract Expires
The last major coaching storyline comes from Dallas, where Mike McCarthy’s contract has quietly lapsed. Known for his Super Bowl victory in Green Bay and a strong winning record with the Cowboys, it seems unlikely that McCarthy won’t return for another season.
However, with Jerry Jones at the helm, drama is never far away. Could the Cowboys be positioning themselves for a splashy move to reclaim the spotlight? Only time will tell.
Stay Tuned for Updates
As more coaching moves unfold, I’ll keep this blog updated. Thanks for reading, and let us know your thoughts on Twitter @FeOTBpod! What coaching changes would you like to see this offseason?
