According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Patriots have a succession plan in place with linebackers coach Jerod Mayo. Language in Mayo’s contract establishes him as the successor to Bill Belichick.

If that is the case, then the Patriots do not have to interview any other candidates according to league rules. They can simply name Mayo the next coach of the team whenever they decide to announce it.

The Kraft’s hold Mayo in high regard and view him as a potential special head coaching candidate who can connect with players at a high level. By all accounts, they did not want him ending up somewhere else.

With the recent success of Dan Campbell in Detroit, DeMeco Ryans in Houston and even Antonio Pierce in Las Vegas, the NFL is starting to go in the same direction as Major League Bsseball in hiring young former players to lead teams.

I get the allure of finding your Dan Campbell if you are the Patriots, but not interviewing other candidates is a mistake.

Having been around Mayo the past two seasons on the practice field, you can see he is a good coach. He also has the support of the players. I have no doubt he can a good head coach but I do not think he should be handed the job as part of succession plan.

The Patriots should interview other candidates. Mike Vrabel is the first name that comes to mind. The three time Super Bowl winner with the Patriots has coached at other places and has been a head coach. A coach mind you who led the Tennessee Titans to AFC title game in 2020. Vrabel has a big personality, is tough, passionate and relates to players. He would be a terrific hire.

The Patriots should also interview Brian Flores who checks many of the same boxes as Vrabel. Flores did a tremendous job in a short amount of time of turning the Miami Dolphins around. He took them to the playoffs Flores has learned from that experience and is ready to lead a team again.

It would behoove the Patriots to also interview some offensive coordinator candidates as well. Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is the hot name of course. Why not bring him in or Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. Give them an interview and pick their brains. See why they have had the success they have the past two seasons.

The Patriots have been abysmal offensively the last two years. The fact that they are not interviewing offensive coordinator candidates is mind numbing to me considering that is the direction the league is trending in when it comes to head coaches. 10 of the 14 teams in this year’s playoffs are led by offensive coaches.

Jerod Mayo has what it takes to be a successful head coach. He is well respected around the league as well. I have no doubts that he would elsewhere as a head coach if the Patriots did not hire him.

The organization however owes it to themselves and it’s fans to interview other candidates. If Mr. Kraft is interested in finding someone who can help the team win again, then the Patriots need to go through the process. Otherwise, you are just maintaining the status quo by hiring someone on Bill Belichick’s staff.

I like Mayo as a candidate, but the Patriots should hold the Mayo and do their due diligence with the interview process.