Patriots Fire Mayo, Kraft Acknowledges Missteps

The New England Patriots fired head coach Jerod Mayo after a disappointing 4-13 season, with owner Robert Kraft admitting that he placed Mayo in an 'untenable situation' due to insufficient support. Despite a victory against the Buffalo Bills, the team's overall performance, including a decline in defense ranking and challenges with media relations, led to the decision. Players expressed sadness over Mayo's departure, praising him as a 'great leader' and a 'player's coach,' while fans were divided on Kraft's decision. Kraft emphasized the importance of protecting the franchise's legacy and acknowledged that fan sentiment influenced the move to part ways with Mayo. The Patriots are now focused on finding a new head coach to restore the team's competitive standing.