The team’s struggles have led to many questions about the future of the organization, specifically Mayo and Wolf.
While there have been reports that Mayo is safe from a firing this offseason, NFL insider Adam Schefter believes that another rough loss in Week 18 could lead to changes in New England.
“I think the Krafts have wanted to give Jerod Mayo every opportunity, and I still think that that’s the case,” Schefter said on the “Pat McAfee Show” earlier this week. “Again, you never put too much into any one game, but if there’s another game like (their 40-7 loss to the Los Angles Chargers in Week 17) at the end of the year, then I think that’s gonna lead to discussions.
“I think that they want to stick with Jerod Mayo. This is a guy that they’ve believed in. He’s a guy they promoted. He’s a guy that they’ve stood behind. There are things they have to address. This is a team that needed help at wide receiver and traded the draft pick that became Ladd McConkey to the Chargers. They traded that pick, and they used the picks they got back in return on Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, I believe. They need to get some things straightened out. Right now, they’re in position to secure the No. 1 pick in the draft.”
The Patriots may be limited with their options in this Week 18 finale against the Buffalo Bills, as their top defensive player (cornerback Christian Gonzalez) is in concussion protocol, and their top offensive player (rookie quarterback Drake Maye) was limited in practice on Wednesday.
If the team looks like they’ve given up, stopped trying and gets blown out, the Krafts will have to do some serious thinking before Black Monday.