New England Patriots linebackers coach and longtime NFL veteran Jerod Mayo is reportedly interviewing to be the next head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles, of course, recently fired Doug Pederson after a disappointing 4-11-1 campaign. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport first reported the news.
#Patriots inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo is expected to interview for the vacant #Eagles head coaching job this week, source said. The first HC interview for Mayo, who plays a key role in NE’s defense.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 13, 2021
NFL News: Jerod Mayo to Interview For Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach
After spending his entire playing career with the New England Patriots, Jerod Mayo joined New England’s coaching staff prior to the 2019 season. Serving as the linebackers coach, the former first-round pick helped guide one of the best defenses in the league. With Kyle Van Noy, Dont’a Hightower, and Jamie Collins under his tutelage, the unit allowed only 14.1 points per game, best in the league.
New England’s defense regressed in 2020, but it’s hard to blame Mayo for the lack of production. Van Noy and Collins both left in free agency, while Hightower opted out thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Left with Ja’Whaun Bentley as his best linebacker, the unit finished the season allowing 22.1 points per game, the seventh-best mark in the league.
While he has had success as a coach, Mayo is best known for his playing career. Selected by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, Mayo made an immediate impact right out of the gate. Overall, the rookie finished the season with 128 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, one quarterback hit, and one forced fumble while winning Rookie of the Year honors for his stellar play. By all accounts, the Tennessee product appeared destined to be the heir to Tedy Bruschi in the middle of the defense.
Mayo proved that his rookie season was no fluke over the next four seasons. From 2009 to 2012, Mayo recorded a combined 329 tackles, 16 tackles-for-loss, 20 quarterback hits, and four forced fumbles. He earned First-Team All-Pro honors in 2010 and made it to the Pro Bowl in 2010 and 2012. Unfortunately, injuries limited him to just a combined 12 games in 2013 and 2014. He made it through the regular season in 2015, but spent the entire season as a backup. Following that campaign, Mayo hung up the cleats for good.
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