Rob Gronkowski, the ex-Patriots tight end, expressed his surprise at the Patriots’ choice to dismiss head coach Jerod Mayo following the conclusion of the regular season.

Gronkowski couldn’t hide his feelings during the Fox halftime show as he made somewhat critical comments about the decision by Patriots owner Robert Kraft. 

“I was shocked by that,” Gronkowski said during the show. “To happen that soon was a shocker to a lot of people. Especially here at the desk. We were all surprised by that. I think it was unfair to coach Jerod Mayo. I mean, he never had the chance to develop as a head coach. He was just a rookie himself in that department. If you judge a coach by their first year, that’s really not appropriate. Jimmy Johnson, you went 1-15 in your first year and you won a couple Super Bowls after that.”

Gronkowski played nine seasons with the Patriots, winning four Super Bowl titles with the team, and had been a teammate of Mayo’s for six of those seasons, which may explain Gronkowski’s somewhat passionate reaction. 

The Patriots announced the decision after the team won their season finale against the Bills.

Mayo lasted just one year at the helm in New England and coached the team to a 4-13 record, but Gronkowski clearly didn’t feel that warranted ending his time as coach that quickly. 

In another studio segment, Gronkowski softened his tone a bit and suggested that Kraft may have a plan while also mentioning the rumors that Mike Vrabel could be atop the Patriots’ wish list for a coach. 

“I was surprised by that,” Gronkowski said about the decision during a separate halftime show on Fox. “Rookie head coach. The roster that he was handed wasn’t that prominent. It’s tough, it’s a tough situation in New England. Obviously, Mr. Kraft didn’t see Jerod Mayo being that culture builder that he was hoping to be over the last season. 

And obviously Mr. Kraft has a plan as well going forward. Probably hoping to get Mike Vrabel. There is some rumbling out there as well that Josh McDaniels may come back as well as offensive coordinator.”

Mayo had replaced legendary head coach Bill Belichick after he went his separate ways from the organization following the 2023 season.