A few thoughts on the state of the Patriots as we are about to enter the echo chamber that is Super Bowl Week, this time in Las Vegas:
- The post-Bill Belichick Patriots appear to be entering a very green phase — as in Packers green — with Eliot Wolf's fingerprints evident with the hiring of Alex Van Pelt as offensive coordinator. Former Giants head coach Ben McAdoo is also in talks with New England to assist Van Pelt and Jerod Mayo in an assistant head coach role (he also coached tight ends).
Is anyone surprised? Wolf is about the only person with sway in the organization who has worked outside the walls of One Patriot Place. Personnel executive Patrick Stewart, formerly of the Eagles and Panthers, is a little more in the background but has deep contacts and should be heard out as well. The rest have been home-schooled by Belichick for years and now they're trying to step foot outside the walls of the fortress. Not easy. Yes, there is a National Football League out there. This situation is a testament to what Belichick built here, for better or worse. We warned you about the lack of league experience for Mayo in the hiring process, and it's coming to fruition. But Wolf and Stewart can help Mayo put together a very professional staff.
I wouldn't expect this to be the last of the Packers connections for the Patriots.
Green Bay defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery interviewed with the Patriots on Saturday as Jeff Hafley comes on board as the new GB defensive coordinator. Montgomery is well-respected throughout the league for the work he did under three different defensive coordinators and with players such as Mike Daniels and Kenny Clark.
There are several other former Packers out there that are loosely connected to Wolf and Van Pelt who would be viewed as assets in New England:
- James Campen, offensive line: Was just let go by the Panthers and is an excellent teacher.
- Joe Philbin, offensive line: The former Dolphins head coach spent 2023 as an analyst for Ohio State. Made his name as a line coach but was McCarthy's offensive coordinator so he could fill that role if McAdoo balks. The Longmeadow native is organized and a calming influence.
- Edgar Bennett, WRs or RBs: I would expect him to be retained by the Raiders but he's a great coach. Would fit well if Mayo is looking to continue to add former players, who are more player-friendly. Like Dan Campbell did in Detroit.
- Winston Moss, LBers: The former NFL player rose steadily on McCarthy's staff to assistant HC and got some HC interviews. Was last the HC and GM of the LA Wildcats of the UFL. Mayo and Moss, who bring immense intensity, would hit it off.
- John Dorsey, personnel: The former Chiefs and Browns general manager was a mentor of sorts for Wolf and would be a perfect, experienced right-hand man for Wolf if he becomes the primary football executive in New England. Dorsey has spent time recently with the Eagles and currently with the Lions (senior personnel executive).
- Alonzo Highsmith, personnel: Wolf and the former NFL RB were basically joined at the hip as they both rose together in the Packers organization and under Dorsey with the Browns. He's currently at the University of Miami, his alma mater.
I can't say enough good things about all of those former Packers. They are all extremely professional, workers, great teachers, extremely personable with players and are tremendous human beings. If Mayo is looking to turn a new page inside the walls, he could do worse than some of these names.
- Speaking of what some of the new hires bring off the field ... is it just me or is Mayo/Patriots seem to be putting an emphasis on more player-friendly coaches? Certainly Mayo and Van Pelt fit that bill, and I could see him dotting his offensive assistants with the same type of people.
This is the typical 180 you see often in sports. If the organization had a hard-ass for a while (Belichick), they go in the completely opposite direction. Sure seems like the Krafts wanted a more media- and ownership-friendly head coach, and now that's trickling down to the coaching staff in terms of making the workplace environment more compatible with today's players.
Be careful what you wish for. This stark correction doesn't always work, but Mayo gets to try it his way. Accountability for all involved is a must and will be the biggest proving ground for the first-time head coach.
- By the way, I wouldn't pay attention too much to the scuttlebutt that because it appears Wolf could get final say in personnel, it means the Patriots are less likely to draft a QB at No. 3. I would ignore pretty much anything that happened with Wolf in Green Bay. At that time, Ted Thompson drove everything. Wolf was known to be much more aggressive, especially on the trade front and free agency, but the overly conservative Thompson often thwarted the potential moves created by Wolf.
- Classy move by Bill Belichick to publish this today in the Globe:
"To Patriots fans everywhere:
"Nowhere in America are pro sports fans as passionate as in New England and for 24 years, I was blessed to feel your passion and power, The Patriots are the only NFL team representing SIX states but in reality, Patriots Nation knows no borders.
"You were undaunted by weather, attended scorching hot training camp practices and braved Foxborough's coldest, wettest, snowiest, and windiest days.
"Your thoughtful letters offered support, critique, and creative play suggestions. You watched on TV, the internet, and from your stadium seats.
"You traveled from coast to coast and internationally. Numerous times, you overtook opposing stadiums and were the last fans standing. We loved it! You gave your precious time, resources, and energy to our team. We appreciated it!
"Six times, you packed Boston by the million for parades that were truly a two-way expression of gratitude and love. The images from those days are burned in my memory.
"You may even have enjoyed my fashion sense and press conferences, or maybe you just tolerated them.
"I loved coaching here and, together, we experienced some amazing moments.
"THANK YOU ALL."
Loved the "you may even have enjoyed my fashion sense and press conferences, or maybe you just tolerated them" line.
- Sure feels like Van Pelt was a last-man-standing sort of deal for the Patriots as he was the last interview, was offered the job and readily accepted. Van Pelt and Luke Getsy (who may get the Raiders job after Kliff Kingsbury backed out to land with the Commanders) were the last two standing, and it's no accident both were recently fired and needed to land jobs. Everyone else had options, including Nick Caley, who appeared to be the leading candidate for a while. Did he ask for too much money, even more than Bill O'Brien earned, to leave Sean McVay's staff and LA, where his family was enjoying life? That was the prevalent rumor at the Senior Bowl.
- Another big rumor: New Hampshire native Chip Kelly wants out of college and just wants to be a coordinator in the NFL, where he was HC of the Eagles and 49ers. That would have been an inspiring and aggressive hire by the Patriots, but he also would have commanded a lot of money.
- Could the Patriots be in a powerful position with the third overall pick? That was the feeling among execs in Mobile.
"Somebody is going to see Marvin Harrison Jr. as the final piece and come up for him, but they might go past the Patriots to 2," said one exec.
The Raiders (13th pick) and Vikings (11th) are two of the teams that could be aggressive trading up for one of the top three quarterbacks. Minnesota coach Kevin O'Connell was on the field watching Michael Penix and Bo Nix closely.
