Patriots legend Vince Wilfork says Jerod Mayo firing was a ‘set-up’

In true New England Patriots fashion, they now have their third head coach in as many seasons (and less than 13 calendar months).

After Bill Belichick was on the sidelines for 24 seasons, the two parted ways in early 2024 and joined Jerod Mayo to replace arguably the greatest coach of all time.

However, after a 4-13 season, Kraft didn’t like what he saw, fired Mayo and hired Mike Vrabel, who was available last offseason.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club

Vince Wilfork doesn’t deny that the Patriots are in a better place today than they were two weeks ago, but echoing former teammate Rob Gronkowski’s thoughts on the matter, Wilfork said Tuesday that Mayo “never “I was lucky” and that was all. a “facility”.

“I think it was stupid to do that. And knowing Jerod personally, I know the conversations,” Wilfork told PK Press Club Digital in a recent interview. “I know what it’s like. It’s just hard to understand, but that’s the problem with dealing with certain people. I think it was unfair.”

Wilfork noted that Mayo coached “the same crap roster” that Belichick created and “was terrible with.”

“So what do you think Mayo was [going to] do with the same people Bill brought in? Mayo was the one who found the future quarterback in Drake Maye. It’s just a shame. But that’s part of the game, part of the business,” Wilfork said.

Wilfork spoke with PK Press Club Digital at an event where he promoted Tums as he works to stop heartburn when people cover their faces during their nights out. Super Bowl. Tums and DraftKings recently teamed up for fans to use the app for its Fantasy Foodball Pool, where players can draft their perfect plates on game day for free for a chance to win a share of the cash prizes.

Jerod Mayo (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

NFL TO EXPLORE PLAYOFF FORMAT CHANGES; DIVISION WINNERS WILL NOT BE INSURED AT HOME GAMES: REPORT

“Tums goes hand in hand with food, and what they were trying to do with Foodball was a perfect collaboration. … When you have football and DraftKings and the chance to win something, it’s still fun,” he said. Wilfork said. “You can do this with your friends, have a good time, and it’s all food themed. Something competitive, but it’s light. We talk about food. It’s a great way to bring people together . Food, sports, football, that’s it.”

Despite letting Mayo go, Wilfork said Vrabel was the best guy to get his former Patriots “back on track.”

“I’m very happy for Vrabel. I played with Vrabel. He coached me in Houston – a good friend. I know he checks all the boxes when it comes to leading the team. I hope he can get us back on track It’s time for us to get back on track He’s a good person who can get us back on our feet and in the right direction, but that has a lot to do with it. this list,” Wilfork said.

Wilfork played in Super Bowls with Mayo and Vrabel on the same defensive unit and considers them both good friends. Perhaps one could say that this is a strange situation for Wilfork, but he mentioned that it’s “not awkward…just facts.”

“It has nothing to do with Vrabel as a coach or a person. I think he’s phenomenal. He’s the best coach I could have had. I just think it was unfair for Mayo to experience what he experienced,” he said.

Tom Brady of the New England Patriots talks with head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans before their preseason game in Nashville, Tennessee on August 17, 2019. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

“I’m not questioning Vrabel’s ability. I know he can win. He showed it with Tennessee, winning the AFC Championship in his first year. I know how great Vrabel is. great coach. I don’t question that at all. I’m very happy and excited that the Patriots are coming to Vrabel.

“I just think it’s unfair what Mayo had to go through. He didn’t have a chance. It was bullshit from the start, and there’s a lot of backstabbing. … We’ll see what happens passes. It’s all part of the game, I guess, but it’s unfair any way you slice it. He never had a chance.