The Patriots fired head coach Jerod Mayo after one season leading the team.
Mayo was Bill Belichick's handpicked successor, and he remained at the helm of the team for just under 12 months.
New England improved to 4-13 with a final-day win over the Buffalo Bills that cost the team its first overall pick in this year's NFL Draft.
The Patriots are stuck with the No. 4 pick in April's draft by having the worst schedule of any team with 13 losses.
Mayo answered questions at a postgame news conference and was fired shortly after by team owner Robert Kraft. The former Patriots player was fired about an hour after the final whistle against Buffalo.
Kraft's statement about Mayo's spread quickly after the pink slip was given, meaning the Patriots owner likely made the decision to fire his head coach before Sunday's AFC East clash.
Jerod Mayo was fired by the New England Patriots about an hour after the team beat the Bills.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft will begin the search for a third head coach in three seasons.
“After today's game, I informed Jerod Mato that he will not return as head coach of the New England Patriots in 2025,” Kraft's statement read. 'For me personally, this was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. I've known Jerod for 17 years.'
“He earned my respect and admiration as a rookie in 2008 and throughout his career for his play on the field, his leadership in the locker room and the way he carried himself in our community.”
'When he joined our coaching staff, his leadership was even more evident as I saw how the players responded to him. When other teams began asking to interview him, I feared losing him and committed to making him our next head coach.
“Winning our first road game of the season in Cincinnati only reinforced my beliefs. Unfortunately, the trajectory of our team's performances throughout the season was not as expected.'
'Since I purchased the equipment, I have always considered myself and my family custodians of a public asset. We have huge fans who expect and deserve a better product than what we have delivered in recent years. I apologize for that. “I have given a lot of thought and consideration to what actions I can take to expedite our return to championship contention and have determined that this action was the best option at this time.”
“I am grateful for Jerod's many contributions to the New England Patriots throughout his career and will always support his success. I appreciate all of his hard work and hope the experiences gained will help him in the future as I still believe he will be a successful head coach in this league. I only wish Jerod and his family success in the future.'
The leading candidate to replace Mayo is his former teammate Mike Vrabel, who was fired at the end of last season as coach of the Tennessee Titans and has not been hired by an NFL team since.
After 24 years with just one head coach, the Patriots will now have their third coach in three seasons heading into the 2025 season.