Part 4/8:
The culmination of Mayo’s tenure was the regular-season finale against the Buffalo Bills, where a loss could have preserved the Patriots' top draft position. A surprising win, achieved largely through backup quarterback Joe Milton's impressive performance, ultimately diminished the Patriots' chances to secure a higher pick, reopening debates about the rationale behind aiming for victory when the season was already deemed a failure.
In devoting resources to win a single game amid a season filled with losses, the situation feels reminiscent of a previous year in Houston when Lovey Smith was fired after a season where a similar scenario unfolded. Just like Smith, Mayo found himself in a position where much was expected despite inadequate resources to succeed.