3 rookie head coach candidates Denver Broncos should not scoff at
3. Jerod Mayo, defensive coordinator, New England Patriots
If Jerod Mayo gets an audience with the Walton-Penner ownership group, it wouldn’t be his first audience with the Denver Broncos. Mayo interviewed for the Broncos’ job last offseason but obviously remained in New England.
It sounds like he’s now bursting at the seams to get a head coaching opportunity somewhere in the league, and he’s obviously done a tremendous job with that Patriots defense which ranks among the best in the NFL in every major category.
Mayo was the 10th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. He was the NFL defensive rookie of the year and became a Pro Bowler as well as an All-Pro before getting hired as the Patriots’ inside linebackers coach in 2019.
He’s steadily risen through the ranks ever since, earning the trust of head coach Bill Belichick over Belichick’s most precious area of the team: the defense.
Having a former player leading the locker room is something the Denver Broncos should be prioritizing along with experience. None of these things should be requirements, but having a former player in the locker room to resonate with the guys in that locker room could be a huge asset for this Broncos team.
Mayo has long been known for his unparalleled work ethic even dating back to when he was a rookie in the league and obviously, he carved out a very successful career, becoming a Super Bowl champion in the process.
His pedigree is worth monitoring in terms of his leadership and ability to relate to the players, but his portfolio is so much deeper than football. His family has a military background, and he got into business after he retired from pro football. He’s a husband and father, and his endorsement from Bill Belichick shouldn’t be taken lightly.