Patriots’ Matthew Judon Believes In New Coach Jerod Mayo

New England Patriots outside linebacker Matthew Judon said that the team is adjusting well to new head coach Jerod Mayo this off-season. Judon suggested that the team is benefitting from new leadership after the team parted ways with longtime coach Bill Belichick.

“I think with [Belichick] leaving, it’s just new energy and new life in the building,” Judon told Boston.com. “Sometimes it’s just time and I think it was just one of those times … I think with the hire of Mayo, bringing in somebody that was actually there for those years, understands player perspective and coaching and also how coach Belichick actually ran the system. I think bringing in somebody like that, instead of somebody that’s outside and didn’t know at all kind of helped us.”

Judon is familiar with Mayo, the Patriots’ former inside linebackers coach, explaining his early support for the team’s inside hire. Despite his beat efforts, Mayo will nevertheless spend his early days as Patriots coach enduring comparisons to Belichick from all circles. In his introductory press conference, he said he’s more interested in creating his own system.

“For me, I’m not trying to be Bill, I’m not trying to be Bill,” Mayo said at his introductory press conference. “I think that Bill is his own man, if you can’t tell by now I’m even a little bit different up here. But what I will say is, the more I think about the lessons that I’ve taken from Bill, hard work works, right? Hard work works. And that’s what we’re all about.”

For many, the Patriots are still inextricably tied to the dynasty formed by Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady, but the team has not reached those heights in years. In fact, the team currently figures as the worst in the AFC East, behind the Bills and Dolphins, both playoff teams last year, and a Jets team regaining Aaron Rodgers in 2024.

Mayo may be replacing Belichick, but he is not trying to keep a dynasty afloat. New England does not have a reliable quarterback and must decide whether or not to move on from Mac Jones. Several key players have to recover from injuries that significantly impacted the team’s 2023 performance. The NFL Draft is approaching fast, providing an opportunity for the team to continue building a young core.

Judon believes that Mayo’s energy is best suited to a team looking to carry on Belichick’s culture in a new generation. Now, the new head coach has to prove he can build something all his own.

Article by Patrick Moquin