I know, I know, why make this about race is what you’re asking — but we’d be fools not to think that theres still some unfairness going on in the NFL when it comes to leadership roles given to black people.

And in this case for the New England Patriots choosing former linebacker Jerod Mayo to be the next head coach, it’s a good… yet sad day. Let’s get the good out the way first.

Mayo is definitely a great football mind with a high IQ for the game. As a player, he led the team in tackles for multiple seasons and was also a captain for several seasons. The players respect him and he spent a lot of time under the likes of Bill Belichick for years learning as an assistant and player. Mayo will be the first black head coach in franchise history and that’s certainly something to cheer about.

However, let’s get to why this is unfair.

I believe this situation to be much like Brian Flores and his stint with the Miami Dolphins. Flores was told to lose games in order to get higher draft picks, of course Flores declined to do so. He also raised eyebrows for bringing awareness to the Rooney Rule: a policy that requires league teams to interview ethnic-minority candidates for head coaching and senior football operation. However, it was shown that owners often didn’t take it serious and only interviewed black coaches because it was simply a requirement.

Let’s be honest, is Mayo set up for success in the long run in New England? With a quarterback like Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe? I don’t think so. With a suspect offensive line and a defense that was not only injured, but probably not going to stay, plus they just finished at the bottom of the AFC East with a 4-13 record. Mayo will have to build the Patriots from the ground up, which will come with some losing seasons, and in a sports-heavy region like New England, we don’t have time for losing seasons. Bill wasn’t ridiculed as much the past four seasons because of his accomplishments the first 20 seasons of him coaching, fans showed respect. They don’t owe Mayo a damn thing.

If you’re reading this and think I’m being dramatic, let me ask you this: Is a black coach going to get the Los Angeles Chargers head coaching job? Of course not. The Chargers have Josh Herbert at quarterback, a MVP-level guy, with a Keenan Allen, and some playmakers on both sides of the ball. A team that underachieved last year and has the talent to become a real threat. More than likely someone like Belichick will get that job, or another white head coach.

Although it’s always great to see a black man get promoted, Mayo’s coaching career in New England is already pre-planned: The Pats suck or do mediocre for the next couple years, fans put the blame on the coach, and he gets fired right before the pieces come together and the new head coach will take most of the credit.

Why is Antonio Price not an automatic lock for the Raiders head coaching job? He was the interim head coach and did an amazing job given the circumstances. The reality is the owners are treat hiring black coaches as a ‘here, y’all got a black head coach, now stop whining about it. But when it’s time for us to actually start winning, we’ll get rid of him’.

Congrats to Mayo, but he gets five years at New England max. I hope I’m wrong.