The Patriots announced last week that linebackers coach Jerod Mayo had agreed to a new contract with the team. Terms of the deal were not disclosed and neither was a possible title. The expectation is that Mayo will be the team’s defensive coordinator. Why else would Mayo sign a new deal and stay if he wasn’t going to get a pay raise and a new title.

Mayo also declined an interview with the Carolina Panthers for their head coaching opening. The decision caught a lot of people by surprise and it begs the question. Is Mayo the next coach of the Patriots? At minimum, Is he the coach in waiting?

It is hard to tell because if he is the coach in waiting, we will never know. Getting information like that out of the Patriots is virtually impossible. I have a hard time believing that Mayo is the successor because we don’t know how long Belichick wants to coach for? For years we thought Josh McDaniels was going to be the heir apparent but that obviously never materialized and he took the Raiders job.

Is it possible that Mayo is the next coach of the Patriots? Sure but unless it is a mandate from the Kraft’s, I am not sure it is going to happen. Barring finishing 4-13 or 5-12 next season, Belichick will be allowed to coach as long as he wants to. If that is the case, speculating on a succession plan is pointless.

For now let’s just assume that Mayo will be the team’s defensive coordinator next season. Anything else is purely speculation and with the One Patriot Way being the equivalent to Fort Knox, I’m not sure we will ever find out if there is a succession plan in place.

Mayo is a rising star in the profession but just because he signed an extension, it doesn’t mean he is going to stay. Bottom line. It is too early to tell who will coach this team after Bill Belichick. We will just have to be patient.