The New England Patriots have a new head coach for the first time since 2000. A recent addition explained why Jerod Mayo is strongly positioned to connect with players.
Antonio Gibson, who signed with New England last week, recalled his first encounter with Mayo. The running back described a “different vibe” than the typical conversation with a head coach.
“It sounded like he was talking to one of the guys,” Gibson said Monday, via NBC Sports Boston. “I feel like that’s something that might be a positive thing in the locker room for him to be able to relate and communicate like that, and kind of understanding both sides of it.”
Gibson also praised Mayo for treating his daughter “with love” during their initial encounter.
“I appreciated that, for sure, especially the first time meeting him,” Gibson said.
The Patriots hired Mayo to replace Bill Belichick this offseason after spending five seasons as an inside linebackers coach. While the two-time Pro Bowler has far less experience than his predecessor, the 38-year-old Mayo may be better positioned than the 71-year-old Belichick to relate to his team as a former player.
Gibson, who spent the last four seasons with the Washington Commanders, hasn’t played for either coach. Yet hiring Mayo could make the transition easier for returning Patriots players.
Matthew Judon called Belichick “one of the best to ever do it” in an NFL Network interview earlier this month, but the star pass rusher also believes Mayo will inject the team with “new energy and new life.”
“He always had our back throughout everything that we go through,” Judon said of Mayo. “We always would kind of go to talk to him, and he would understand.”