Dont’a Hightower doesn’t think Jerod Mayo will be daunted by big responsibilities in 2019. The New England Patriots linebackers coach is in his first year on the team’s staff after a long playing career and a brief stint in the media. However, Mayo got a chance to call defensive plays for New England during their minicamp session last week.
“That shows the amount of responsibility [they’re giving him],” Hightower told Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. “Honestly, I feel like he could’ve done it when he was playing. He’s knowledgeable, he knows a lot about the game, he knows how things need to be done. It’s dope hearing him through the helmet.”
Mayo, who played with Hightower from 2012 to 2015, doesn’t necessarily have the play-calling job locked up. Reports have indicated that Bill Belichick intends to call plays for New England this season. Perhaps the Patriots coach hasn’t made up his mind.
In the meantime, the rookie coach is getting a chance to try out for the role. And if he can’t win it in 2019 — and Belichick does the job — then perhaps Mayo will be prepared for the role in 2020.
