Bills

Jets

Tony Pauline of SportsKeeda explored the ongoing issues the Jets are facing with ownership and the front office, shedding light on how they reached their current situation.

• A source shared that former Jets GM Joe Douglas voiced concerns about owner Woody Johnson’s son, Brick, during a ride to the Senior Bowl.
• Johnson’s son has been reportedly monitoring social media to gather fan opinions about the team, which he then relays to his father.
• According to Pauline, Douglas declined a contract extension due to feelings of disrespect towards the Johnsons.
• On the head coach vacancy, Pauline notes that there has been a surge of interest from various candidates: “Everybody and anybody has called wanting to interview… including a lot of non-football people.”
• It’s believed that the Jets may need to offer higher compensation to attract prominent young candidates for the GM and HC roles.
• Specific candidates highlighted include Buccaneers executive Mike Greenberg, Chiefs executive Mike Borgonzi, and Lions OC Ben Johnson.
• Despite fan enthusiasm, “few in the league” think that Browns consultant Mike Vrabel will take either the Jets or Raiders HC position. Pauline suggests Vrabel has his sights set on the Patriots’ job, though parting with Jerod Mayo appears unlikely.
• Pauline also mentions former HC Rex Ryan as a viable candidate for the Jets’ head coaching position.

Patriots

• During a recent appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Adam Schefter indicated that the Patriots are likely to retain HC Jerod Mayo for 2025: “I think the Krafts have wanted to give Jerod Mayo every opportunity, and I still think that’s the case. I think they want to stick with Jerod Mayo. This is a guy they believed in, this is a guy they promoted. It’s a guy they stood behind.”
• When questioned about the possibility of coaching his last game for the Patriots, Mayo stated: “For me, it’s all about focusing on the Bills, trying to win that game.” (Mark Daniels)
• Mayo confirmed that Drake Maye will start in Week 18: “Drake’s healthy. … He wants to play. … Drake is our starting quarterback. If he’s healthy and ready to play, he’ll play.” (Chad Graff)
• New England is poised to secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft with one game left. Mayo emphasized that they won’t intentionally lose the final game: “I’ve never been a part of a team, as a player or as a coach, going to a game not wanting to win. That’s not going to change today.” (Doug Kyed)
• Mayo also commented on their decision to release veteran OLB Yannick Ngakoue, stating it was to allow him an opportunity to join a contending team. (Mike Reiss)
• Patriots DL Deatrich Wise, an impending free agent, expressed his desire to return to New England next season: “I would love to return. I love it here.” (Karen Guregian)