Van Pelt Help: Patriots Hiring Ex Giants Coach?

The New England Patriots may once again head outside the organization for a veteran presence on the staff of rookie head coach Jerod Mayo in 2024.

The New England Patriots may be spreading the effects of a seismic shift on offense to their entire coaching staff in 2024. 

The Pats, per Sports Illustrated, are in talks to add former New York Giants coach Ben McAdoo to their offensive staff. The report indicates that McAdoo is likely to play an assistant head coach- type role, while assisting newly-hired offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.

Is former New York Giants coach Ben McAdoo close to joining the New England Patriots? :: Cred:Bill Kostroun/AP

McAdoo, who started his pro coaching career in 2004 as an offensive quality control coach with the New Orleans Saints, has been the Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator since 2022. He is perhaps best-known for his brief, yet eventful tenure as Giants head coach from 2016-2017. The 46-year-old led New York to an 11-5 record, as well as a playoff-berth in his first season at the helm. However, the team regressed massively in his second year — a season marred by numerous injuries and player suspensions. McAdoo also made the controversial decision to bench quarterback Eli Manning in Week 13, ending his 210-consecutive start streak. He, along with general manager Jerry Reese, were fired after compiling a 2-10 record in 2017. 

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of New England’s interest in McAdoo stems from his time working with the Green Bay Packers. From 2006-13, the Pennsylvania native served as tight ends coach (2006-11,) and quarterbacks coach from 2012-13. During that span, McAdoo worked alongside Van Pelt under former Packers — and current Dallas Cowboys — head coach Mike McCarthy. He also reported into a front office in which current Patriots director of scouting, Eliot Wolf, played a prominent role. Wolf, has been mentioned as a potential Patriots general manager candidate, having spent the majority of January assisting Mayo with his coaching interviews and vetting process. 

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If hired, McAdoo’s experience working with both Wolf and Van Pelt would solidify the notion that the Patriots operations will have a distinctively new look and process for the upcoming season. Most importantly, his vast football knowledge should be an asset to his former colleague as New England looks to reshape an offense which finished No. 32 in scoring last season. 

In addition to Van Pelt, the Patriots also hired former defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington as defensive coordinator, while ex-Los Angeles Rams coach Jeremy Springer has been tapped to lead special teams.

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