While it seems extremely unlikely at this point that the Patriots would completely clear house and start over with their coaching staff and front office after the 2024 season concludes, some changes will be necessary.
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo acknowledged that there could be turnover on his coaching staff in two weeks when the season ends while answering a question about the offseason Monday on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show.”
“Look, I try to stay as present as possible, but the reality is you always have to look out the front windshield when you’re trying to built a team,” Mayo said. “For me, after we get through the season, there are a lot of things, a lot of checklists you have to go through: what players you want to keep around, what coaches you want to keep around here.”
The Patriots are currently 3-12 on the season and have two more difficult matchups left on the schedule with home games against the Chargers and Bills.
The Patriots are currently 26th in EPA per play on offense and 30th in EPA per play allowed on defense. The first decision Mayo will need to make is whether to bring back offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft and team president Jonathan Kraft were shown on the Week 15 broadcast seemingly criticizing Van Pelt’s play-calling. The team’s defense has lacked answers for most of the season under Covington.
And, of course, Mayo has had his own issues as he’s attempted to oversee everything.
“It starts with me putting a mirror in front of my face and just going through the things that I have to get better at moving forward,” Mayo said. “Everything that we’ve done this year from a process standpoint, some of it’s been good, some of it’s been bad, but that is part of being in your first year whether you’re first year in whatever: first year you want to be a journalist, first year — it’s a learning experience, but the most important thing is being able to reflect and being honest with yourself when you didn’t do things the right way.”
Player development has been a major issue this season with the Patriots, especially among the 2024 rookie class outside of quarterback Drake Maye. The Patriots have gotten little production out of rookie wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk and none out of fourth-rounder Javon Baker. Rookie fourth-round pick Layden Robinson has struggled this season at left and right guard.
The Patriots’ front seven has struggled this season since losing linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley to a season-ending injury. The team has seen its most development on defense at cornerback, where Christian Gonzalez has been a standout.
Bill Belichick was hired as the University of North Carolina’s head coach, and his oldest son, Steve Belichick, is reportedly leaving the University of Washington to become UNC’s defensive coordinator. Bill Belichick’s youngest son, Brian, is the Patriots’ safeties coach. It’s unknown if Brian Belichick will stay on the Patriots’ staff or follow his dad to UNC.
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