Rob Gronkowski rips Patriots' decision to fire Jerod Mayo after 1 season

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Rob Gronkowski appeared to be upset with how the New England Patriots handled Jerod Mayo’s first season as head coach, which ended with his dismissal Sunday following a win over the Buffalo Bills.

Mayo was hired to replace Bill Belichick last year after the legendary head coach and the organization parted ways following six Super Bowls and two dynastic periods.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo looks at the scoreboard during the Buffalo Bills game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, Dec. 22, 2024. (Mark Konezny-Imagn Images)

The Patriots struggled in Mayo’s first season, finishing 4-13. But Gronkowski expressed that he didn’t believe Mayo had enough time to develop as a head coach.

"I was shocked by that. And to happen that soon was a shocker to a lot of people," he said on FOX. "Especially here at the desk, I think we were all surprised by that. I think it was unfair to coach Jerod Mayo. He had never had the chance to develop as a head coach. 

"He was just a rookie himself in that department. If you judge a coach by their first year, that’s really not appropriate."

TYREEK HILL SUGGESTS HE WANTS TO LEAVE DOLPHINS AFTER FINAL GAME OF 2024 SEASON: ‘I’M OUT’

Rob Gronkowski at Fox Sports media day at the Phoenix Convention Center in Arizona, Feb. 7, 2023. (Kirby Lee-USA Today Sports)

Mayo and Gronkowski were teammates for a few years with the Patriots.

The Patriots were far from playoff contenders entering the season. New England drafted rookie quarterback Drake Maye in the first round and didn’t start him until a few weeks into the regular season.

New England