Patriots going with Mayo as Belichick’s successor

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Jerod Mayo spent his entire professional football career learning from Bill Belichick, first as a player and then as an assistant.

He’ll now have the weighty task of succeeding the future Hall of Famer and leading a New England Patriots team as its first new voice in more than two decades.

The Patriots named Mayo to succeed Belichick as the franchise’s 15th head coach on Friday. Mayo is the first Black head coach in team history.

He will be formally introduced at a news conference on Wednesday, the team announced.

Mayo played eight NFL seasons and won a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots during the 2014 season. He has been an assistant under Belichick since 2019, serving primarily as the Patriots linebackers coach. He’ll become the NFL’S youngest head coach at age 37.

Mccaffrey, Hill, top All-pro team

Christian Mccaffrey, Tyreek Hill and Fred Warner are unanimous choices for the Associated Press 2023 NFL All-pro Team.

The 49ers’ Mccaffrey and Warner and the Dolphins’ Hill received firstteam votes from all 50 members of a nationwide panel of media members who regularly cover the league.

Running back Mccaffrey and linebacker Warner are joined by three San Francisco teammates: left tackle Trent Williams, fullback Kyle Juszczyk and tight end George Kittle.

Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson earned his second All-pro selection, receiving 45 first-place votes. Dallas’ Dak Prescott and San Francisco’s Brock Purdy each received two first-place votes and Buffalo’s Josh Allen got the other one.

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald becomes an eighttime pick, tied for most by a defensive player and tied for fifth-most overall. Cowboys right guard Zack Martin is a seven-time choice and Eagles center Jason Kelce earned his sixth selection.

Fourteen players are first-timers, including three from NFC East champion Dallas: wide receiver Ceedee Lamb, who missed being a unanimous choice by one vote; cornerback Daron Bland and kicker Brandon Aubrey.

Davis, Rapp will miss playoff game

Buffalo wide receiver Gabe Davis and reserve safety Taylor Rapp will not be available for Sunday’s playoff game against Pittsburgh, Bills coach Sean Mcdermott said Friday.

Davis, who finished second on the team with 746 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches, sustained a knee injury on Sunday.

Without Davis, quarterback Josh Allen’s target options include Dalton Kincaid, Khalil Shakir and Trent Sherfield.

Lions’ Raymond out with injury

Detroit punt returner and receiver Kalif Raymond will miss Detroit’s wild-card round playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams due to a knee injury.

The Lions ruled out Raymond on Friday along with backup tight end James Mitchell, who has a hand injury, and backup cornerback Jerry Jacobs.

TE Andrews returns to Ravens

Tight end Mark Andrews was back at practice for Baltimore on Friday after missing the final six games of the regular season because of an ankle injury.

Titans interview Bengals’ Callahan

The Tennessee Titans conducted a virtual interview with Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan on Friday, their first conversation with a candidate to fill their head coaching vacancy.

The Titans fired Mike Vrabel on Tuesday after six seasons.