The New England Patriots moved on from Bill Belichick this offseason and promoted Jerod Mayo to head coach for the 2024 season.
So now, it’s up to Mayo to decide what to do with the rest of the staff – who were his peers this past season.
One such member of the staff is Belichick’s son, Steve Belichick, who worked alongside Mayo as linebackers coach (Belichick was with the outside linebackers while Mayo coached the inside linebackers).
While the situation may be a bit awkward, Belichick reportedly would still have a role with the team either as assistant head coach or as a senior adviser, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss (via Dov Kleiman).
𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: If Steve Belichick returns to the #Patriots, the projected fit would be as an assistant head coach or senior adviser type, per @MikeReiss pic.twitter.com/XRlXsoOaIS
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 21, 2024
Belichick has been with the Patriots since 2012 in a variety of roles, including defensive assistant, safeties coach, secondary coach, and then outside linebackers coach.
But with his dad gone, Belichick could look to coach elsewhere or join his father with whatever team he coaches next.
Bill Belichick has a few suitors – most notably the Atlanta Falcons – and could look to bring some of his coaches with him to his next stop, such as former coordinators Josh McDaniels and Joe Judge.
His son would undoubtedly be among those Belichick would want to bring with him to his next stop, but perhaps Steve would want to remain in New England or pursue opportunities elsewhere.
At the very least, though, Mayo could retain one of the Patriots’ longest-tenured assistants as he hopes to return the Patriots to their former glory under his direction.
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Bill O’Brien Is Reportedly Leaving New England For Ohio State