NFL Insiders: Former Patriots Assistants Potential Belichick Replacement?

Even if Bill Belichick moves on from the Foxborough sidelines, there could be a hint of familiarity wearing the New England Patriots' top headset come next season.

As a new year looms, the New England Patriots might not let old acquaintance be forgot.

With any New England talking point focused on the future of head coach Bill Belichick, NFL Network insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport had two familiar faces to keep an eye on if Patriots management opts to make a change after a quarter-century. 

“If Belichick does move on, speculation has centered on (inside linebackers coach Jerod) Mayo as his successor,” Rapoport and Pelissero report. “That’s not a guarantee, though, and other options — particular coaches with Patriots ties, such as Josh McDaniels or Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores — shouldn’t be ruled out.”

Mayo, the Patriots' first-round pick from 2008, has commonly been viewed as the heir to the Belichick empire but New England's fall from grace has led some to believe that the franchise could opt for an outside hire. While both Flores and McDaniels are well-versed in the supposed Patriot Way as former assistants under Belichick, each has spent some time away from Foxborough, time that has included head coaching stints with various degrees of success.

Flores, currently stationed in Minneapolis, held a variety of roles in New England between 2008 and 2019, a run that led to him wearing four Super Bowl rings. He went out on the most prominent high note, serving as the linebackers coach in New England's victorious defensive struggle over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII. 

Since then, Flores spent three seasons at the helm of the Miami Dolphins, amassing a 24-25 record that dragged South Beach out of a rebuild and put them on pace for their current success under Mike McDaniel. The two sides parted on a sour note in a departure that eventually led Flores to file a lawsuit against the NFL for alleged discrimination against minority coaches. A failed bid to serve as the head coach of the New York Giants also led Flores to file. Entering Week 17 action, Flores' unit in Minnesota ranks 10th in points allowed and fifth in average rushing carry against.

McDaniels' current spot is less ceremonious, as he was ousted from his latest head coaching spot with the Las Vegas Raiders earlier this fall. Despite his prescience for six Super Bowl wins in multiple roles, primarily offensive coordinator, McDaniels has struggled to find success as a top man upon accepting the top headset, amassing a 20-33 record between stints in Denver (2009-10) and Las Vegas (2022-23). That's perhaps a troubling sign for anyone seeking his modern services but New England (4-11) could perhaps enlist him as they presumably prepare to place a new franchise man under center, perhaps one found in the upcoming draft.

Belichick Texts Play Key Role in Brian Flores’ Discrimination Lawsuit Against NFL

Before the head coach hullaballoo officially gets underway, the Patriots will play their penultimate game of the 2023 season on Sunday afternoon when they face the Buffalo Bills (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

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