Rob Gronkowski admits Jerod Mayo showed ‘coaching abilities’ even as a player at Patriots

Jerod Mayo used to have knowledge about each player on the field and the strategies of the opposing teams. 

Rob Gronkowski admits Jerod Mayo showed ‘coaching abilities’ even as a player at Patriots

Rob Gronkowski and Jerod Mayo (Via Imago/SI)

With the departure of Bill Belichick after 24 years of legacy, the New England Patriots have officially stepped into their rejuvenating era. With the vacant head coach position handed over to Jerod Mayo, it appears they made absolutely the right decision. 

Since Belichick is no longer in the position of power at the franchise, many players both current and former have spoken about the sheer difference in both their coaching styles. With that being said, former Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski recently admitted how Mayo possessed “coaching abilities” when he was just a player at the Patriots under Belichick as the legendary head coach. 

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In the recent episode of Games With Names podcast, Gronkowski and Julian Edelman recalled some rookie memories with Mayo. The Hall of Famer tight end asserted that Mayo used to know each player on the field and the strategies of the opposing teams. 

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Jerod Mayo was just a phenomenon on the football field with lining everyone up and then also in the meeting rooms as well. He knew when to call out plays and he was always correct when he was calling the play out or else he was just making the whole defense aware when that play was going to be called that they were looking out for or what type of run was going to be run at the offensive side of the ball.
Rob Gronkowski said

He further praised his former teammate saying he was always alert and it was obvious what the next career step of his life would be. And as he took over the coaching job at New England, he indeed proved them right. 

Jerod Mayo earns a Tom Brady comparison with Rob Gronkowski 

In his eight seasons with the Patriots, Mayo earned many accolades including a 2010 First-Team All-Pro nod, two Pro Bowl honors, and a 2008 Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Under Belichick’s reign, the was the all-time on-field leader in the defense. 

Highlighting that, Gronkowski compared Mayo with NFL GOAT quarterback Tom Brady, who ruled over the league with his offensive power. 

Jerod Mayo was the Tom Brady on the defensive side of the ball.
Rob Gronkowski added
Patriots HC Jerod Mayo
Patriots HC Jerod Mayo (Via WGBH)

It can already be seen with the Patriots’ current defense ranking, which went up to third since Mayo became the new head coach, in scoring defense and down defense, while fourth in the red zone defense.

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