The Cleveland Browns requested permission to interview New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo for the vacant defensive coordinator position.
An interview time and date have not been shared if in fact scheduled.
Thursday evening reporting may explain why there has been no follow-up communication about Mayo.
The #Patriots announce they have begun negotiations to keep Jerod Mayo on staff. They will also begin interviews with potential offensive coordinators next week.
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) January 12, 2023
NFL Network’s Mike Giardi is among the first to break the news that the Patriots are reportedly negotiating a long-term deal to keep him with the team.
In what capacity, is not yet known.
Mayo Is In High Demand
The Patriots’ decision could either have to do with the Browns’ interest in Mayo or the fact that Carolina wanted to interview him for a head coaching position which was reported earlier in the day.
Carolina is requesting permission to interview Patriots inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo for its head coaching job, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 12, 2023
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport calls the Patriots’ move “unprecedented.”
Unprecedented: The #Patriots announce they are working toward keeping Jerod Mayo and that team will begin OC interviews next week. pic.twitter.com/1RoSjFoSk3
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 13, 2023
Neither the Browns nor the Panthers have issued an update regarding Mayo’s candidacy for their vacant positions.
One More Interview Left To Schedule
Since Jim Schwartz interviewed on Wednesday and Brian Flores interviewed on Thursday, if Mayo is in fact out of the running, that leaves Sean Desai as the last man standing (that we know about) to interview for the job.
Excited to see #Seahawks coach Sean Desai getting named for some of the open coaching positions around the league. Hoping he can become one of the first #NFL head coaches of South Asian descent over the next few years after being the Bears long time defensive coordinator.
— Dr. Nirav Pandya, M.D. (@DrNiravPandya) January 12, 2023
Desai is currently focused on preparations for Seattle’s wildcard game this weekend so a time and date for him would definitely not be planned yet.
Who Will It Be?
Many think Schwartz’s Cleveland Browns career history (he started as a scout in the Bill Belichick era) will help him get the job.
Others think that Brian Flores is the obvious choice, but he could be sought after for head coaching roles too.
The bottom line is no one knows who or what will transpire with Joe Woods’ former job just yet.
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