Report: Mayo strong candidate to replace Belichick

New England Patriots inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo is a strong candidate to replace Bill Belichick as the team's next head coach, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

If the Patriots chose to hire Mayo, they wouldn't have to go through the lengthy NFL hiring process, notes Rapoport. New England has established a contractual succession plan with Mayo in a prior contract and communicated it to the league.

The Patriots and Belichick agreed to part ways on Thursday after 24 seasons and six Super Bowl titles.

Mayo generated head coaching interest from multiple teams during the 2021 and 2022 offseasons. He interviewed with clubs but wasn't hired. The 37-year-old also turned down an offer to become the Cleveland Browns' defensive coordinator last year.

A former All-Pro linebacker, Mayo was heavily involved in Belichick's defense in recent years. Mayo, who retired in 2015, has been with the team as an assistant since 2019.

The Patriots, who went 4-13 in 2023, have struggled offensively since Tom Brady left the team, but their defense has been solid in that span. New England has ranked in the top 10 in points or yards allowed in each of the last four seasons.

Mayo played 103 regular-season games for the Patriots from 2008-15. A two-time Pro Bowler, he was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2008 after being drafted 10th overall out of Tennessee.