Former Patriots Draft Pick Continues to Embarrass Jerod Mayo for Cutting Him
When Jerod Mayo took over as head coach of the New England Patriots this offseason, one of his earliest roster decisions was to part ways with a former draft pick many assumed would play a larger role in the team’s rebuild. At the time, the move was brushed off as a routine cut. Now, just a few weeks into the regular season, that player’s success elsewhere is making Mayo’s choice look increasingly questionable.
The player in question, a mid-round pick during the Bill Belichick era, has quickly become an impact performer for his new team. Since signing on after his release, he’s delivered the type of production that the Patriots have been desperately lacking. Whether it’s explosive plays, steady reliability, or simply filling a role New England has struggled to replace, he’s showing exactly why the decision to move on was premature.
For Mayo, the optics aren’t ideal. As a first-year head coach, every roster decision is magnified. Cutting a player who immediately shines with another organization doesn’t just reflect on personnel evaluation—it fuels the narrative that the Patriots’ talent pipeline has dried up. Fans and analysts alike have pointed out how New England’s offense remains stagnant, its depth questionable, and its ability to develop young players still underwhelming.
Meanwhile, the former Patriot is thriving in a system that values his strengths, giving him opportunities that were never consistent in Foxborough. It highlights an uncomfortable truth: sometimes the problem isn’t the player, but the organization’s inability to maximize him.
Of course, Mayo is playing the long game. As he works to reshape the roster in his own vision, there will be growing pains and unpopular decisions. Still, this particular cut has become a talking point precisely because of how glaring the contrast is between New England’s struggles and the former Patriot’s success.
For now, every big play the ex-Patriot makes elsewhere is another reminder of what the Patriots let slip away—and another piece of evidence critics will use to question Mayo’s early judgment.
