The Cleveland Browns fired longtime defensive coordinator Joe Woods after another disappointing season in which the franchise finished 7-10, good enough for last place in the AFC North.
The Browns will not replace Woods with current New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo.
The Browns reportedly wanted to interview Mayo for the job, but their courtship won’t even extend to an interview. The Patriots announced they are in the process of extending Mayo’s contract.
“The New England Patriots and Head Coach Bill Belichick have begun contract extension discussions with Jerod Mayo that would keep him with the team long-term,” the franchise said in a statement.
The team also noted, after the reported ongoing feud between ostensibly starting Mac Jones and Belichick, that the team would also interview offensive coordinator candidates.
The Browns’ reported list of candidates is down to former Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz, former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores and Sean Desai, a defensive assistant with the Seattle Seahawks.
Mayo played collegiately with the Tennessee Volunteers. The Patriots selected Mayo with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. The former Super Bowl XLIX champion stayed with the Pats for his entire NFL playing career, retiring 2015.
Mayo rejoined the organization in 2019 as a linebackers coach.
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