When you’re 3-13 heading into the final weekend of the season, it probably shouldn’t be surprising that you don’t garner much attention when the NFL decides to make its Pro Bowl selections.

The Patriots already knew who their next head coach would be. Owner Robert Kraft had put into writing a succession plan that detailed how Jerod Mayo would take over. It meant the Patriots didn’t have to conduct a formal search the way the league requires with multiple interviews that follow the NFL’s Rooney Rule.

Less than a year ago, the New England Patriots parted ways with long-time head coach and de facto general manager Bill Belichick, replacing him with Jerod Mayo on the sidelines and Eliot Wolf in the front office.