The New England Patriots have officially named linebackers coach Jerrod Mayo as the team's new head coach according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

A succession plan was firmly in place for Mayo, who had become one of the league’s most trusted defensive assistants in the final years of Bill Belichick’s run as head coach. Belichick on Thursday parted ways with the Pats and the team took little time to make the move to Mayo, 37, who played linebacker for New England from 2008 to 2015. The Patriots could hire Mayo without interviewing other candidates because of specific language in his contract detailing a succession plan post-Belichick.

Mayo will take over a team with one of the NFL’s worst offensive personnel and a strong defense. The Patriots have the third pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and it would be a complete shock if they did not use that pick to select a quarterback.