Callahan: Jerod Mayo’s bye week plans and more Week 14 thoughts

Welcome to the Friday Five, bye-week edition!

Each week during the NFL regular season, I will drop five Patriots-related thoughts on Friday to recap the week that was (or wasn’t) in Foxboro and look ahead to kickoff.

Ready, set, football.

1. Mayo’s plans

By now, Jerod Mayo has eased into his bye week. And however you or I feel about his or the Patriots’ performance this season, a break is overdue. It’s been a long, hard road to their one and only pit stop, the latest bye in the NFL.

Before the Patriots reconvene Monday, Mayo said he would spend time this week looking past the team’s next game at Arizona on Dec. 15.

“I’ll take a quick break, but look, there are definitely a lot of things that will happen here over the next few weeks,” he said Monday. “We’re still focusing on the season, obviously, but you also have to look out the front windshield of things that are going to come up on us fast, and those are some of the decisions or conversations that I’ll have during the week.”

What could he mean?

Mayo seems to suggest offseason-related items, considering he said the team is still “focusing on the season, obviously, but …”

A typical offseason begins with coaching changes, which often start the day after the regular season concludes AKA Black Monday. Then comes an internal season review and later prep for free agency in March and later the draft in April. It would seem strange for Mayo to get a head-start on free agency or the draft.

It would not, however, be odd for the Patriots to shake up their staff. The defense has regressed over the second half of the season, while multiple offensive position groups have failed to develop, albeit with minimal talent available (wide receivers and offensive line, for starters). How much change could be on the way?

2. Pro Bowl candidates

Earlier this week, the NFL announced the top 10 vote-getters at every position after the first week of Pro Bowl fan voting.

Bryce Baringer was the only Patriot listed, ranking third among punters. Statistically, he ranks seventh in punting average at 50.2 yards per punt and 21st in net yards per punt, so there’s no guarantee he sticks near the top. But the Patriots have two more deserving players: cornerback Christian Gonzalez and punt returner Marcus Jones.

Gonzalez is a stud by the eye test or any metric, even with just two interceptions on the season. He’s blanketed opposing No. 1 receivers most of the year and posted a coverage shutout in the Patriots’ last game against the Colts. Gonzalez, 22, is a budding star, and he knows it.

“If it ain’t this year, I’m gonna get it eventually,” he said earlier this week. “Whenever the time comes, I’ll be blessed and happy to be a part of it.”

Meanwhile Jones, a one-time All-Pro, ranks second in punt average at 15.6 yards per return. He’s nearly taken a few to the house.

3. Drake Maye check

Since taking over as the starter in Week 6, he ranks 11th in the NFL by completion percentage (70.6%), 15th by success rate (48.5%) and 14th by QBR (58.0). Maye is managing all of this while overcoming the NFL’s third-worst pass protection and second-worst group of pass-catchers, per Pro Football Focus grades. He’s also led the team in rushing with 333 yards.

And he’s only getting better. Last Sunday marked his best game by completion percentage, QBR and yards per attempt.

4. Did you know?

Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt has worked for five active head coaches in the NFL, including Mayo. Can you name them?

Answer below.

5. See you soon, Bill?

If Bill Belichick lands another head-coaching job this offseason, the Patriots could see him sooner than you might expect.

Assuming the Patriots and Giants remain in last place of the NFC East, New York will visit Foxboro next season. Giants coach Brian Daboll is widely considered to be on the hot seat, as is Jaguars coach Doug Pederson. The Pats will also face Jacksonville in 2025, provided both teams remain in last place of their respective divisions.

In 2026, the Bears will host the Patriots again. Chicago has a head-coaching vacancy, as are the Jets, though it’s hard to see Belichick reconciling with his long hated rival. But would he reunite with Tom Brady?

The Patriots are also slated to host Brady’s Raiders in 2026, and if nothing else, they will see the Jaguars, Giants and Cowboys in 2027.

Answer: Mayo, Mike McCarthy (Dallas), Kevin Stefanski (Cleveland), Zac Taylor (Cincinnati), Raheem Morris (Atlanta)