Patriots reportedly add Jerod Mayo as their new linebackers coach

The New England Patriots’ coaching staff is undergoing a major transformation process this offseason with a total of six position and assistant coaches opting to leave the club following its victory in Super Bowl 53. Among the responsibilities left vacant was coaching the linebackers — a role previously held by defensive signal caller and new head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Brian Flores.

It now looks as if the Patriots have found a replacement for at least that one spot, however: as first reported by NBC Boston’s Tom E. Curran, New England has added Jerod Mayo to its staff to have him coach the linebackers. The 33-year-old, of course, is a familiar face in the organization. Mayo originally joined the Patriots as the tenth overall pick of the 2008 draft, and went on to spend his entire professional career in New England.

Mayo certainly knows a thing or two about playing linebacker: one of the league’s best players at the position during his eight-year career, Mayo was named the NFL’s defensive rookie of the year in 2008, was voted to two Pro Bowls (2010, 2012) and one All-Pro team (2010) and also was a key figure in leading the club to two Super Bowls — even though he missed the second, Super Bowl 49, due to injury.

In general, injuries became a recurring theme for Mayo over the last three years of his career. Ultimately, he decided to retire in February 2016. Three years later, he is now back — albeit in a different role: coaching a group that includes one of his former teammates, Dont’a Hightower, as well as veterans Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts and 2018 rookies Ja’Whaun Bentley and Christian Sam.

Mayo becomes the fifth coach to reportedly join New England’s staff this offseason — even though none of the hires has been made official yet. Greg Schiano is expected to become the Patriots’ new defensive coordinator, with Bob Fraser also joining the club’s defensive staff in a yet to be announced position. Meanwhile, Mick Lombardi and Carmen Bricillo are both projected to fill assistant roles on the offensive side of the ball.

Mayo confirmed that he would join the Patriots’ staff — without naming his role, however — in an Instagram post:

Dear Friends, Family and Patriots Nation, It is with great excitement, passion, and sense of purpose to share with you that I have accepted Coach Belichick’s offer to rejoin the New England Patriots as a Coach. I am eager to get started and work hard alongside so many of my former coaches and teammates, all who I know to be solely focused on maintaining the winning culture we have come to know as the Patriot Way. I want to thank my loved ones, The Kraft Family, Bill Belichick and most importantly my wife Chantel and our four children, for their constant support as we enter this exciting new chapter of our lives. LETS GOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!