Patriots to ‘bring in talent,’ ‘burn some cash’ this offseason, Jerod Mayo says
New England Patriots coaches Steve Belichick, left, and Jerod Mayo, right, against Jacksonville Jaguars during an NFL football game against the Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Paul Connors) (Paul Connors/AP)
Kansas City Chiefs v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 17: New England Patriots linebacker coach Jerod Mayo walks off the field after his team's 27-17 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Pstriots Mayo Football FILE - New England Patriots Jerod Mayo (51) looks over the line of scrimmage against the New York Giants at Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in Indianapolis. The New England Patriots have agreed to hire Jerod Mayo to succeed Bill Belichick as their next head coach, according to a person familiar with the situation. Details were still being worked out on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, according to the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team hasn't announced the decision. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan, File) (Gregory Payan/AP)
Patriots Mayo Football FILE - Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) blocks New England Patriots middle linebacker Jerod Mayo (51) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, in Foxborough, Mass. The New England Patriots have agreed to hire Jerod Mayo to succeed Bill Belichick as their next head coach, according to a person familiar with the situation. Details were still being worked out on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, according to the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team hasn't announced the decision. (AP Photo/Stew Milne) (Stew Milne/AP)
Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots looks on against the Denver Broncos during their AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 14, 2012, in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
Jerod Mayo FILE -New England Patriots inside linebacker coach Jerod Mayo watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. Whether Bill Belichick’s future as the New England Patriots head coach will extend beyond this season remains an open question. But Jerod Mayo, one of the candidates to possibly succeed the legendary coach reiterated on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024 that he believes he’s ready for an opportunity to lead an NFL team. (AP Photo/Stew Milne, File) (Stew Milne/AP)
Patriots Mayo Football FILE - New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo faces reporters, Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, at the NFL football team's stadium, in Foxborough, Mass. The New England Patriots have agreed to hire Jerod Mayo to succeed Bill Belichick as their next head coach, according to a person familiar with the situation. Details were still being worked out on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, according to the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team hasn't announced the decision. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) (Steven Senne/AP)
Patriots Mayo Football FILE -New England Patriots outside linebacker Jerod Mayo (51) warms up on the field before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct.13, 2013, in Foxborough, Mass. The New England Patriots have agreed to hire Jerod Mayo to succeed Bill Belichick as their next head coach, according to a person familiar with the situation. Details were still being worked out on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, according to the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team hasn't announced the decision. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) (Steven Senne/AP)
New England Patriots v Miami Dolphins MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 09: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo talk on the sidelines in the fourth quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) (Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Arizona Cardinals v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 29: Josh Uche #53 of the New England Patriots talks with inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 22: New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo looks on before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
New England Patriots v Miami Dolphins MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 09: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo talk on the sidelines in the first quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Washington Commanders v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 05: Linebackers coach Jerod Mayo looks on during the game against the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Kansas City Chiefs v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 17: New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo looks on from the sideline next to head coach Bill Belichik during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
New England Patriots v Arizona Cardinals GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 12: Coach Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots during the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on December 12, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 27-13. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
By Frank O'Laughlin
FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots are gearing up to shell out money on talented players in free agency this offseason in hopes of returning the franchise to its winning ways after a dismal 4-13 season under Bill Belichick, according to new head coach Jerod Mayo.
Now that the Patriots have officially turned the page on the Belichick era, utilizing the $70 million in projected cap space heading into next season is a priority, Mayo said Monday during his first appearance on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show.”
“We’re bringing in talent, 1,000 percent,” Mayo said. “We have a lot of cap space and cash. We’re ready to burn some cash.”
The Patriots have an estimated $68,466,052 in cap space heading into the 2024 season, according to data provided by Spotrac.com.
If it wasn’t clear enough that Belichick was no longer the frontman of the Patriots, Mayo made sure there wasn’t any room for confusion when team owner Robert Kraft officially introduced him as head coach last week.
Jerod Mayo introduced as new Patriots coach
New England Patriots Introduce Jerod Mayo as Head Coach FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 17: (L-R) Owner Robert Kraft and newly appointed head coach Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots shake hands during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 17, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Introduce Jerod Mayo as Head Coach FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 17: (L-R) Owner Robert Kraft and newly appointed head coach Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots speak to the media during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 17, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Introduce Jerod Mayo as Head Coach FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 17: (L-R) Newly appointed head coach Jerod Mayo and Owner Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots pose for a photo following a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 17, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Introduce Jerod Mayo as Head Coach FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 17: A display board celebrates newly appointed head coach Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 17, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Introduce Jerod Mayo as Head Coach FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 17: Newly appointed head coach Jerod Mayo, center, with his family (L to R) Jerod Jr, Chyanne, Chylo, Chantel, and Chya following a media during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 17, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Introduce Jerod Mayo as Head Coach FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 17: Newly appointed head coach Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots kisses his mother Denise Mayo-Hinds following a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 17, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
“I’m not trying to be Bill. Bill is his own man. If you can’t tell by now I’m a bit different,” Mayo said with a wry smile.
During his radio appearance, Mayo was also asked about what the team plans to do with the third overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
“We’re going to take the best available player for the biggest need on the team; offensive line, receiver, quarterback,” Mayo explained.
Mayo was drafted by the Patriots in the first round of the 2008 draft and he played eight seasons in New England, winning a Super Bowl ring in 2014. He had been an assistant under Belichick since 2019, serving primarily as the Patriots linebackers coach up until his promotion.