The New England Patriots made headlines by firing head coach Jerod Mayo after a challenging 4-13 season. Despite acknowledging that Mayo faced difficulties in his inaugural year, owner Robert Kraft and the organization opted for a change. Defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. expressed mixed feelings about the dismissal, stating that the players felt they had given their all throughout the season. Wise noted that while nobody wanted Mayo to leave, he wasn’t prepared to take the blame for the team's performance.

Wise, who has been a steady presence on the Patriots' defensive line since being drafted in 2017, recorded 29 tackles and five sacks this season. He enjoyed his best year in 2022 with 59 tackles and 7.5 sacks. As he approaches free agency, questions loom about his future with the team in light of the coaching change.