Patriots CB discusses going from Bill Belichick to Jerod Mayo

New England Patriots cornerback, punt returner and one-time first-team All-Pro Marcus Jones sounds excited to get to work under new head coach Jerod Mayo after Mayo officially replaced Bill Belichick in January. 

"I know us as a whole, we’re ready to hit the ground running, especially with a guy we trust," Jones said about Mayo during the latest edition of the "Eye On Foxborough" podcast, according to Karen Guregian of MassLive.

While Jones offered high praise for Belichick during the interview, the 25-year-old noted how Mayo, who turns 38 years old this Friday, differs from the 71-year-old who guided New England to six Super Bowl championships but more recently saw the club miss the playoffs three times across the past four seasons. 

"He makes it fun," Jones said about Mayo's approach to work. "Having that personality when you’re walking around, he just has an excitement to him."

Mayo is no stranger to Belichick or the so-called "Patriot Way" embraced by the living legend during a tenure that ran from 2000 through this past January. 

The retired linebacker played under Belichick from 2008 through the 2015 season, became New England's inside linebackers coach in 2019 and reportedly understood as far back as last offseason he'd eventually become Belichick's successor. 

"That’s what I meant by the trust aspect," Jones added about Mayo. "He’s been part of the organization and been in our shoes as well. He knows about the hard work and dedication that’s needed in an establishment like that. Just having someone that’s been in our shoes before helps out a lot, and the trust is just there."

Much has been made about Patriots owner Robert Kraft choosing Mayo over a proven commodity such as former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. 

Vrabel earned three Super Bowl rings playing for New England from 2001 through the 2008 season, clearly has a fondness for the organization and, like Mayo, knows all about the "Patriot Way." 

An old sports adage teaches that nobody "wants to be the guy who replaces the guy," the second guy in this instance being a larger-than-life figure such as Belichick. 

Mayo seemingly already has fans inside the New England locker room, but he'll need to prove he can outcoach counterparts this coming fall to convince fans that Kraft made the right call.