The Patriots have fired Jerod Mayo after his first season as head coach, the team announced Sunday.

Mayo’s firing comes at the end of a 4-13 campaign, one of the worst in franchise history. Mayo, 38, was hired less than a year ago and named Bill Belichick’s successor after the 2022 season.

The Patriots won Mayo’s final game as head coach 23-16 over a Bills team that rested its starters.

However, after a season-opening upset at Cincinnati, the Patriots endured a six-game losing streak and regressed over the second half of the year. Mayo also committed several missteps with his messaging, while his locker room frequently pointed fingers after hard losses.

The Patriots must open now open their first head-coaching search in 25 years. Former Titans head coach and ex-Patriots player Mike Vrabel is expected to be a strong candidate for the job.

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