Fired Patriots coach resurfaces at Boston-based investment firm a year after being replaced by Mike Vrabel

Fired New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has resurfaced away from the NFL as a managing director for a Boston-based investment firm.

The former Patriots linebacker, 2008 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and Super Bowl XLIX champion previously served as the vice president of a business development health services company, Optum, between 2016 and 2019.

He then returned to the Patriots as an assistant under his former head coach, Bill Belichick, only to replace the six-time Super Bowl winner for New England’s doomed 2024 season.

The Patriots would finish just 4-13 under Mayo, who was fired in January of 2025 and replaced with another former New England linebacker, Mike Vrabel.

Since then, Mayo has been away from the spotlight, while Vrabel has guided the Patriots to the Super Bowl before becoming embroiled in the ongoing Dianna Russini scandal. 

Now, though, Mayo has landed at Fifth Down Capital in a managing director roll.

Vrabel replaced Mayo in early 2025 before rebuilding the Patriots into a Super Bowl team 

‘In parallel with his professional career, Jerod has been an active investor and advisor to private companies for over a decade,’ read his bio on the company website. 

‘He is known for his disciplined leadership style, emphasis on preparation and accountability, and ability to build trust-based relationships. He holds a degree in political science from the University of Tennessee.’

Mayo is hardly the only former NFL star to head into the investment world.

Former New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck, who beat Mayo’s Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, is now working in Goldman Sachs’ Private Wealth Management division.

Steve Israel, another former Patriot, works in wealth management, while former New York Jets receiver Wayne Chrebet has worked at Morgan Stanley and Barclays Wealth as an assistant vice president.