Amid uncertainty surrounding the Patriots' current coaching staff, plenty of former coaches have been mentioned as possible replacements if Robert Kraft decides to make significant changes this upcoming offseason.
From the desire to see Mike Vrabel replace Jerod Mayo as the head coach to Brian Daboll or Josh McDaniels taking over in place of Alex Van Pelt, Patriots fans have made it clear that they'd like to see big moves made to the personnel as soon as possible.
The changes don't stop on offense, though, as defense has been one of the lesser-discussed issues the team has dealt with this season. They were considered a top-10 group in 2023 and are now at the bottom of the league in nearly every metric for defenses under defensive coordinator Demarcus Covington.
That has prompted some other names to be mentioned as potential replacements for the rookie coordinator, including the return of Steven Belichick, who had been the DC before leaving the team last year. He went on to fill that role at the University of Washington. He will now continue his career with his father in North Carolina, officially removing himself from potentially returning to Foxboro.
The return of Steve Belichick to the Patriots sideline is not happening
During a crucial Week 16 lineup of NFL games, it was announced that Steve would join his father, Bill, at the University of North Carolina for the 2025 season.
It was an expected move since it was reported that succeeding his father as the head coach eventually was part of the deal, but it was also the official end of a wishful return of a Belichick to New England as soon as next year.
Steve Belichick is set to join his dad’s staff as North Carolina’s defensive coordinator after Washington’s bowl game, sources tell @CBSSports/@247Sports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 22, 2024
As Washington’s DC this season, he’s improved the Huskies from 99th nationally in total defense last year to 26th this year.… pic.twitter.com/TbvMlDO5fQ
Because of how well the defense played with him leading the charge, it's a loss for the Patriots, who hope to get the group back to their dominating ways as soon as possible. They will have to look elsewhere now for potential replacements for Covington if that's the direction they choose to go.
This could also result in another Belichick leaving the Patriots, too, as Brian Belichick is the current safeties coach. It seems fair to assume he will also be joining his father next year, but nothing official has been announced.