Jerod Mayo to become Pats LB coach

Jerod Mayo was always thought of as an extra coach when he was a linebacker for the Patriots during his eight-year NFL career. Starting this year, Mayo will be an actual coach.

On Wednesday, the former Patriots captain, first-round pick and Pro Bowler announced that he’s joining Bill Belichick’s coaching staff. He’ll reportedly become the Patriots' new linebacker coach, which is fitting.

“It is with great excitement, passion and sense of purpose to share with you that I have accepted Coach Belichick's offer to rejoin the New England Patriots as a coach,” Mayo wrote on Instagram. “I am eager to get started and work hard alongside so many of my former coaches and teammates, all who I know to be solely focused on maintaining the winning culture we have come to know as the Patriot Way.

“I want to thank my loved ones, The Kraft Family, Bill Belichick and most importantly my wife Chantel and our four children, for their constant support as we enter this exciting new chapter of our lives.”

Drafted 10th overall in 2008, Mayo made an instant impact on the Patriots defense, being named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Mayo was also a two-time Pro Bowler (2010 and 2012) as well as a first-team All-Pro in 2010, when he led the NFL with 175 total tackles.

A captain and a leader, Mayo’s role on the Patriots shifted in 2013. He suffered through multiple injuries that limited him to 12 total games in 2013 and 2014.

Mayo still helped the coaching staff during the time he spent on the injured reserve. In 2015, Mayo played a backup role on the team’s defense before finishing that season on the IR as well. Still, players lauded the veteran for his leadership on and off the field. Mayo retired after that.

Mayo replaces Brian Flores, who’s now the Miami Dolphins head coach. Mayo will be one of several new coaches at Gillette Stadium. He joined the likes of Greg Schiano, Mick Lombardi, Carmen Bricillo and Bob Fraser.

If Mayo’s Instagram post is any indication, players are excited for his return. Current and former players like Dont’a Hightower, Julian Edelman, Sebastian Vollmer, Brandon LaFell, Sealver Siliga, Martellus Bennett, Aqib Talib and Rob Ninkovich all commented on the post.

Former Patriots linebacker Tedy Brushci put it perfectly, writing, “It was inevitable. You gonna be great my brother.”