Get updated with all the latest news surrounding the New England Patriots as they move on from the Bill Belichick era to the generation of Jerod Mayo this offseason.
Bill Belichick is reportedly the favorite to become the Falcons' new head coach
Since the announcement of Bill Belichick's departure from the Patriots after 24 years, the NFL world cannot stop obsessing over where he will be coaching for the 2024 season. Of the handful of vacancies he could fill at the moment, the current assumption is he will likely just move south to become the Falcons' next head coach.
Although it doesn't seem like the ideal team to go to since they don't have a quarterback or the best offense in the league, he has already interviewed with Arthur Blank this past week, and according to NFL insider Dan Graziano, he has quickly become the favorite to land in Atlanta.
"I think he is the clear favorite here unless another job opens that has a quarterback already in place and offers him a chance to win those 15 games he needs to pass Don Shula in short order. Atlanta has already interviewed Belichick."
Belichick is the sixth candidate to interview for the position. Since then, the Falcons have also spoken to Jim Harbaugh, who hopes to triumphantly return to the NFL after a successful career at Michigan.
So, the former Patriots coach will have some stiff competition, mainly due to the other candidate's ages and potential coaching differences. But it does seem kind of funny even to interview a guy like Belichick when he's dominated the league for the last twenty years. And Atlanta knows that quite well, considering their heartbreaking loss in Super Bowl LI.
It will be interesting to see if any other coaching jobs open up by the end of the postseason that would be more enticing for Belichick, who is presumably hoping to pass Don Shula's all-time winning record before he retires. We now know the Cowboys will not be one of those teams, but rumors have been flying about the Eagles and Steelers, so we'll have to wait to hear about that for the time being.
Julian Edelman shares support for Jerod Mayo's promotion
Since the news broke last week about Jerod Mayo's promotion to become the 15th head coach in Patriots franchise history, the outpouring of support has been nonstop. From current and former players to members of the media, the overwhelming reaction to the move has been incredibly positive.
That continued on Wednesday as he was officially introduced to his new role. Julian Edelman made sure to show him some love and express his support of the promotion during an appearance on FS1's "The Herd" with Colin Cowherd.
"Jerod was an instant, from the day I met him, a leader. Smartest guy on the defensive side of the ball... X's and O's, the guy knew everything. He was always in the film room...
"If Jerod said it, you knew it was right. That's the kind of guy Jerod is. I'm really excited for his opportunity."
This continues to be a point made by those sharing their excitement about Mayo's new title.
Other than the optimism from players he recently coached with the team, former teammates who knew him during his playing days continue to reiterate the point of knowing he was destined to be in this position someday, pointing to his smarts and natural ability to lead, all of which Edelman shared as well.
It puts many of the concerns to rest among fans who may be worried about Mayo's inexperience. It's clear he's made a good impression amongst everyone he's played or worked with and has an overwhelming amount of support inside and outside of the building, which tells you a lot about the type of person he is.
Bill O'Brien may not be returning to New England for 2024 season
With a new head coach after, especially replacing a guy who had been in that position for 24 years, personnel changes are expected to be made. Jerod Mayo even alluded to that during the press conference on Wednesday afternoon, reminding everyone that those currently on the staff are not people he had chosen to be there.
He didn't specify who may stay or will be going, but it's assumed there will be some exits once Bill Belichick finds a new coaching home, as many will probably follow him.
Of those still under contract and may not stick with Belichick is Bill O'Brien, whose role as the Patriots offensive coordinator is now up in the air with Mayo's promotion. Not because Mayo doesn't want him necessarily; we don't know that yet.
However, according to Boston Sports Journal's Mike Giardi, O'Brien's loyalty to the coach who brought him back into the NFL could take him elsewhere. Or his desire to become a head coach again may do the same.
“The sense I get about the offensive coordinator spot is that a new voice will be running the show. Bill O’Brien has a year remaining on his deal (Greg Bedard hears two years) and has enjoyed being back home, but he is considered a Belichick loyalist and may want to move on with the man who — in part — helped bring him back, or at least green-lit the return (in 2023).
“Plus, despite not answering my question about his desire to be a head coach again, those who know him well believe that remains the aim for O’Brien.”
It's difficult to say if O'Brien leaving would be bad since the Patriots' offense was hard to watch last season. It may not be all his fault (obviously), as the roster wasn't the best either. But it's certainly something to consider when gauging how vital he would be to remain on staff for 2024.
Tom Brady reminisces about crazy play calls the Patriots had for Randy Moss
It was a podcast episode for the ages this week, as Tom Brady welcomed Julian Edelman and Randy Moss to "Let's Go!" to discuss all things Patriots and the NFL.
There were many headline-making moments from the show, some of which pertained to Bill Belichick's split from New England. But a more comical moment was when the group reminisced about some of the playcalling specifically made for Moss in 2007 and 2009.
Brady details one specific play and recalls when Moss would tell him to "just throw it to the back pylon," and the quarterback would yell back at him about it being 70 yards away, a throw he couldn't make.
Jules and Randy on the pod this week!https://t.co/FMJLr1lkZY pic.twitter.com/LV4iHiAqUt
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) January 17, 2024
A funny part about the whole interaction is the believability of a playcalling asking Brady to throw for 70 yards to Moss, arguably one of the best wide receivers the NFL has ever seen. But on top of that, Brady had an arm and probably could throw for nearly 70 yards; he's just being humble recalling this moment.
It was just one of the highlight moments of the episode, with plenty more to take away by listening to the entire show.