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The New England Patriots’ offseason will begin earlier than usual this year. With the 6-9 team already out of the playoffs, the Week 17 game against the visiting New York Jets will be the Patriots’ last of the 2020 campaign.
It also means that the team’s assistant coaches and front office members will have more time than years past to seize other opportunities outside the organization. And according to reports from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo, four people in particular have created an early buzz as the regular season draws to a close.
Scouting consultant Eliot Wolf, who arrived in New England in March 2020, is among the candidates for a possible front office job with the Detroit Lions – a team that sacked its former general manager, Bob Quinn, in late November.
Prior to joining the Patriots, Wolf held a number of positions: starting his career in the Green Bay Packers’ pro personnel department in 2004, he rose through the organization to become Director of Pro Personnel (2012-14), player personnel (2015), and football operations (2016-2017). In 2018, he joined the Cleveland Browns as an assistant general manager but was fired again in 2020. After a short stint in Seattle, he arrived in New England.
The Houston Texans, meanwhile, have set their sights on three Patriots members amid a litany of other candidates to embark. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is said to be a candidate for the vacant head coach position, with inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo – a fast ascendant in NFL coaching circles – apparently an option to take over or at least join the Texans in another way. .
McDaniels being named the head coach candidate is neither new nor surprising given his experience in the league and his success with the Patriots. His short-lived stint with the Denver Broncos from 2009 to 2010 may have been tumultuous, but it appears the teams still hold the 44-year-old in high regard.
As for the longtime New England offensive game caller himself, he would be very happy with another shot at a head coach gig. McDaniels said on a conference call last month:
“Absolutely. I really want to do this. I would love to have this opportunity if it presents itself.
As for Jerod Mayo, he’s on the Texans’ radar as he is only in his second year as an NFL assistant coach. A former first-round linebacker who spent eight seasons with the Patriots and won a Super Bowl along the way, Mayo has coached New England inside linebackers for the past two seasons. He might not be a realistic candidate to go just yet, but he certainly seems like a name to watch moving forward – both when it comes to his opportunities with the Patriots and elsewhere.
Finally, there’s Nick Caserio, who’s appearing on the Texans’ radar again for their open GM job. Although categorized as a ‘name of interest’ rather than a concrete candidate who has been or will be pursued by the club, Caserio and the Texans have a history together: the team have been trying to attract him for some time now, with the latest attempt which led to the Patriots filing forgery charges against Houston.
Caserio signed a new contract with the Patriots last offseason, but a promotion in terms of title and responsibilities – moving from director of player personnel under de facto general manager Bill Belichick to general manager with the final say on the game. list – might still be enough to attract. him away.
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