The New England Patriots fired head coach Jerod Mayo on Sunday, announcing the move just after team’s final game and leaving the Patriots searching for a new head coach for the second time in two offseasons.

The Patriots entered Week 18 with a 4-12 record, tied with the Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, and New York Giants. However, they hold a league-highest 78% chance at landing the pick thanks to their lower strength of schedule, giving them the tiebreaker.

The 2024 Patriots suffered through two six-game losing streaks, and one of their four wins came against the Bills’ backups in a game Buffalo showed no interest in winning. That season-ending victory did more harm than good for New England, as it knocked the Patriots from first to fourth in the 2025 NFL Draft order.