The New England Patriots did Jerod Mayo ‘dirty’ by firing the head coach after just one season, according to star cornerback Christian Gonzalez.

‘I did [like Jerod Mayo as a coach],’ the second-team All-Pro told the Frat Rules Podcast. ‘I think they did him a little dirty giving him only one year. But, it’s business.’

Gonzalez clearly didn’t mean his comment as a dig against Mayo’s replacement, Mike Vrabel.

‘We gon’ see what [Mike Vrabel] do,’ Gonzalez said. ‘They damn near cleaned house.’

Gonzalez wasn’t kidding, although Vrabel is bringing some familiar faces to Foxborough.

Of the 26 members of the staff announced by New England earlier this month, 11 worked with Vrabel during his six-year tenure in Tennessee from 2018 to 2023.

The New England Patriots did Jerod Mayo (left) ‘dirty’ by firing the head coach after just one season, according to star cornerback Christian Gonzalez (right)

Patriots owner Robert Kraft poses for a pH๏τograph with Mike Vrabel and his wife Jen

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Along with defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, who previously served as Vrabel’s defensive line coach with the тιтans, three others also are getting new тιтles with the Patriots.

John Streicher is the Patriots’ new vice president of football operations and strategy after serving as director of football administration in Tennessee. In addition, new inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr was Vrabel’s ᴀssistant linebackers coach and Clint McMillan, the ᴀssistant defensive line coach with the тιтans, will be the top D-line coach with the Patriots.

Other former тιтans ᴀssistants under Vrabel that will be part of his new staff are receivers coach Todd Downing (formerly the тιтans offensive coordinator), ᴀssistant offensive line coach Jason Houghtaling, running backs coach Tony Dews, safeties coach Scott Booker, Justin Hamilton, who will serve as cornerbacks coach, was a defensive quality control coach in Tennessee in 2023, director of sports performance Frank Piraino and ᴀssistant special teams coach Tom Quinn.

There were a handful of holdovers from former coach Mayo’s coaching staff as well. Mayo’s brother and strength and conditioning coach Deron Mayo will remain in the same position. Also staying on are ᴀssistant strength coach Brian McDonough, ᴀssistant offensive line coach Robert Kugler and defensive ᴀssistant Vinny DePalma. Ben McAdoo, who served as a senior offensive ᴀssistant under Mayo, will be a senior defensive ᴀssistant under Vrabel.

Former longtime Patriots ᴀssistant Josh McDaniels was previously announced as Vrabel’s offensive coordinator, along with special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer, who held the same job this past season under Mayo.

One other notable hire is тιԍнт ends coach and pᴀssing game coordinator Thomas Brown. He interviewed for the offensive coordinator position that ultimately went to McDaniels. Brown started this past season as the pᴀssing game coordinator for the Chicago Bears prior to being promoted to offensive coordinator midseason and then to interim head coach for the final six games of the season.

Vrabel said in a statement that he wanted to ‘identify loyal, trustworthy coaches who are diverse in background, ideas, experiences and systems.’

‘We will be aligned in our vision to teach and develop our players with creativity, consistency and an attention to detail with the major goal of developing relationships that stretch beyond the field and meeting rooms,’ Vrabel said.

The Patriots replaced Mayo after the former New England linebacker finished with a 4-13 record one year after replacing franchise legend Bill Belichick. Vrabel, another ex-Patriots linebacker, is one year removed from his own dismissal in Nashville after going 54-45 over six seasons.

Chantel Mayo, the wife of fired former Patriots coach Jerod, has hit out on social media

In January, Mayo’s wife Chantel went on Instagram to defend her husband, writing: ‘It never even crossed our minds to tell the truth… but I couldn’t fathom all the lies we’ve read that are being told to save face.

‘What happened to the class????? We’ve been taking the high rod and letting everyone do their thing since Sunday.

‘But playing with someone’s name won’t be tolerated. I bet the fake stories will stop before the real ones start…’

Kraft said that firing Mayo was one of the hardest things he’s ever had to do in his time as the head of the franchise. 

‘I have known Jerod for 17 years. He earned my respect and admiration as a rookie in 2008 and throughout his career for his play on the field, his leadership in the locker room and the way he conducted himself in our community,’ Kraft said.

‘When he joined our coaching staff, his leadership was even more evident, as I saw how the players responded to him. When other teams started requesting to interview him, I feared I would lose him and committed to making him our next head coach. 

‘Winning our season-opener on the road at Cincinnati only strengthened my convictions. Unfortunately, the trajectory of our team’s performances throughout the season did not ascend as I had hope.’